Jobs and Careers
WE

Staff Engineer, Software Development Apps

Western Digital
United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 10 Mar 2026

About the role

Company Description

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.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

We are seeking a Principal Engineer, Software Development Apps to join our innovative team in Irvine, United States. In this pivotal role, you will lead the design and development of cutting-edge software applications, driving technical excellence and innovation across our organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Design scalable, high-performance software solutions for manufacturing tools
  • Provide technical mentorship to development teams, fostering a culture of engineering excellence
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and implement cross-functional features
  • Participate in the evaluation and adoption of new technologies and frameworks to enhance our manufacturing capabilities
  • Establish best practices for software development, including coding standards, testing methodologies, and CI/CD processes
  • Drive continuous improvement in software quality, performance, and scalability
  • Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to ensure high-quality deliverables
  • Participate in technical decision-making at the organizational level, influencing strategic technology choices
  • Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies, recommending innovative solutions to complex problems
  • Contribute to the company's intellectual property through patents and technical publications

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field; Master's degree preferred
  • Several years of experience in relevant software development in a senior technical role
  • Proven track record of designing and delivering medium-scale software projects
  • Proficiency in multiple programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, web service design
  • Strong understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns, and best practices
  • Experience with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architecture
  • Proficiency in Agile methodologies and DevOps practices
  • Demonstrated proficiency in performance optimization and scalability design for high-traffic applications
  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence  cross-functional teams
  • Deep knowledge of web application development, and enterprise software solutions
  • Exposure to project management and experience in driving technical initiatives

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee 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

Apply for this role

Generate a tailored application kit with a matched cover letter, interview prep, and CV highlights — in under 60 seconds.

Apply Now →Generate Application Kit

Free account required — sign up in 30s

Company

Western Digital

View company profile →