Mixed-Signal Validation Engineer

Job Description

About Western Digital

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible. We are a company of problem solvers, empowering extraordinary achievements through cutting-edge technology. Our innovations have contributed to monumental milestones, from enabling a man on the moon to capturing the first-ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, including HDDs and platforms, catering to businesses, creative professionals, and consumers under our renowned brands: Western Digital®, WD®, WD_BLACK™, and SanDisk® Professional.

As a key partner to some of the world’s largest and highest-growth organizations, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future. Our technology enables systems for safer, more connected cities, powers the data centers behind global companies and hyperscale cloud providers, and meets the massive, ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

About the Job: Mixed-Signal Validation Engineer (Early Career)

This is an exciting opportunity to validate cutting-edge mixed-signal chips that are fundamental to the operation of hard disk drives. You will be directly involved in the critical path where data is written and read, working on next-gen Preamp technology. This role offers the chance to solve real hardware challenges and learn from a supportive team of junior and senior engineers dedicated to your growth.

What You’ll Do

• Characterize next-gen Preamp chips using high-frequency RF test gear such as Network Analyzers and Spectrum Analyzers.
• Automate testing workflows by writing and modifying TCL scripts to significantly speed up validation cycles.
• Debug signal integrity issues on prototype boards, run failure analysis, and publish comprehensive findings.
• Partner with chip designers and vendors to test theories, verify fixes, and optimize overall HDD performance.
• Build test plans from scratch, including designing experiments, collecting data, and thoroughly documenting both successful and unsuccessful outcomes.

Your First 90 Days

Your initial journey will focus on:

• Ramping up on Preamp architecture to gain a deep understanding of its intricacies.
• Supporting component testing to familiarize yourself with practical validation processes.
• Shipping your first automated test scripts, making an immediate impact on validation efficiency.

The Early Career Program

This position is proudly part of our Early Career program at Western Digital. Our program is specifically designed to support individuals beginning their professional journey by providing foundational training through a structured onboarding process, dedicated mentorship, and a comprehensive development curriculum.

Qualifications

Required

• Currently pursuing or recently completed an MS degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Right to work in the US without requiring Western Digital to commence or sponsor an immigration case in order to employ you at any point in the future.
• Solid analog fundamentals: a strong understanding of RF design, transmission lines, and signal integrity.
• Hands-on lab skills: comfortable with oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and high-speed measurement setups.
• Coding for automation: ability to write test scripts (TCL preferred, but adaptability to other scripting languages is valued).

Preferred

• Verilog/SystemVerilog, VHDL, or FPGA experience.
• PCB layout tools experience (e.g., KiCAD, Altium).
• HDD architecture knowledge.
• ModelSim simulation experience.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any individual based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.