SQE Senior Engineer

Company Description

At WD, 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, WD 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 and capture the first-ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, and WD_BLACK™.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, WD is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

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

Job Description

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end supplier quality performance, including qualification, onboarding, monitoring, and continuous improvement across assigned commodity or suppliers.
• Act as the primary quality interface between suppliers and internal teams including Engineering, Procurement, Operations, and R&D.
• Define and deploy robust supplier quality strategies aligned with business goals, focusing on risk mitigation, cost of poor quality (COPQ) reduction, and supply continuity.
• Establish, track, and continuously improve supplier KPIs (e.g., defect rate, yield impact, responsiveness, audit scores), and drive accountability through regular business reviews (QBRs/MBRs).
• Lead supplier qualification activities, including technical capability assessment, process audits, and quality system evaluation
• Define and optimize incoming inspection strategies based on risk assessment and supplier performance.
• Drive continuous improvement in incoming quality control processes to reduce inspection cost while maintaining quality standards.
• Drive structured problem-solving with suppliers using methodologies such as 8D, DMAIC, and root cause analysis (RCA), ensuring effectiveness and prevention of recurrence.
• Manage Supplier Corrective Action Requests (SCAR), including issuance, follow-up, verification of root cause, and validation of corrective/preventive actions
• Conduct regular on-site and remote audits (process, system, layered process audits), identifying gaps and driving closure of findings.
• Evaluate and approve supplier change requests (process, material, location, sub-tier suppliers) and ensure proper change control, risk assessment, and validation prior to implementation.
• Partner with suppliers to improve process capability (Cp/Cpk), yield, and overall manufacturing robustness through data-driven improvement initiatives.
• Drive early detection and containment of quality issues through implementation of effective incoming quality controls, supplier self-inspection, and FMEA .
• Lead escalation management for critical supplier issues impacting production, ensuring rapid containment, cross-functional alignment, and executive-level communication when needed.
• Develop supplier capability through training, technical coaching, and joint improvement projects to elevate maturity in quality systems and manufacturing processes.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, and customer-specific quality requirements across the supply base.
• Drive digitalization and automation of supplier quality processes, leveraging data analytics tools (e.g., Minitab, Spotfire, Power BI) to enhance visibility, predictive insights, and decision-making.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights for both internal stakeholders and suppliers
• Drive IMS activities within department

Contamination Control & Cleanliness Management

• Define and enforce contamination control requirements across the supply base, particularly for critical components 
• Assess and qualify supplier cleanroom environments, including classification, airflow design, gowning protocols, and material handling practices.
• Conduct contamination-focused audits at supplier sites, covering:
• Cleanroom discipline and behavior
• Equipment cleanliness and maintenance
• Packaging and transportation controls
• Drive implementation of contamination prevention controls such as:
• Poka-yoke for handling and storage
• Controlled packaging (vacuum, nitrogen, double-bagging)
• Cleaning and bake processes validation
• Drive supplier capability improvement in contamination control through training, benchmarking, and joint improvement programs.
• Establish data-driven monitoring using analytics tools (Minitab, Spotfire, Power BI) to identify trends in contamination-related defects and proactively mitigate risks.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and internal specifications related to cleanliness and environmental control.

Qualifications

Required:

•Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Materials, or related field).

•Certification in quality-related disciplines (e.g., Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, CQE) is preferred.

•Minimum 3–5 years of experience in Supplier Quality Engineering, Quality Assurance, or related roles within manufacturing or high-tech industries.

•Proven experience in managing suppliers, conducting audits, and driving quality improvements.

•Experience in NPI, supplier qualification, and process validation is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

•Strong knowledge of quality systems and methodologies (ISO standards, SPC, FMEA, Control Plans)

•Proficiency in data analytics tools such as Minitab, Spotfire, and Power BI for statistical analysis and visualization.

•Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and supply chain operations.

•Experience in failure analysis, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

•Strong analytical thinking with the ability to interpret complex datasets and drive data-driven decisions.

•Hands-on experience in statistical tools and techniques for process improvement.

•Ability to identify systemic issues and implement sustainable solutions.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

•Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams and external suppliers.

•Strong presentation skills to communicate insights and recommendations to stakeholders.

•Ability to manage conflicts and drive alignment across diverse teams.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

•Self-driven, proactive, and results-oriented mindset.

•Strong project management and organizational skills.

•Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

•Demonstrated leadership in driving supplier performance and continuous improvement initiatives.

Preferred:

•Willingness to travel for supplier audits and business needs (as required).

•Ability to work in a dynamic and global environment with diverse teams.

Additional Information

WD 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.

WD 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.

Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email compliance@wdc.com.