Principal Firmware Engineer

Summary

Join Western Digital as a Firmware Engineer and contribute to the development of cutting-edge high-performance storage systems for OEMs and data centers. You will design and develop firmware using C and C++, debug complex issues, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. This high-impact role requires a strong background in embedded firmware development, storage protocols (SAS, SCSI, PCIe, NVMe, NVMeoF), and debugging skills. Success in this position demands proficiency in C/C++, RTOS, and hardware-software interfaces. The ideal candidate will be a creative problem-solver, a strong team player, and possess excellent communication skills.

Requirements

• BS or MS degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in embedded firmware development
• Strong programming experience and demonstrated proficiency in C/C++ for RTOS embedded systems
• Ability to analyze complex firmware & hardware issues
• Strong debugging skills using kernel mode debuggers and electrical circuit test equipment such as logic analyzers and bus analyzers
• Knowledge of software design, real-time operating systems, and hardware-software interfaces
• In-depth storage protocol experience including SAS, SCSI, PCIe, and NVMe, and NVMeoF
• Knowledge of BIOS and BMC firmware stacks
• Ability to read electrical specifications, identify potential issues/high risk areas, and recommend solutions

Responsibilities

• Design and develop firmware for new and existing enterprise class storage enclosure products using C and C++
• Debug and implement solutions to complex storage and networking issues
• Generate firmware requirements and specifications for enterprise class storage enclosure products
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including FW, EE, ME, and Manufacturing during all phases of product development
• Design and develop debug infrastructure for enabling quick diagnosis of failures
• Design and develop applications to collect and analyze diagnostic data, debug logs and event data
• Develop unit and system firmware tests to ensure quality in both emulated and hardware environments
• Review system and board level specifications to ensure all FW features, verification, and diagnostic requirements are feasible and properly incorporated
• Develop processes to identify embedded system design issues early in the product development lifecycle
• Create Diagnostics and Built in Self-Test (BIST) software tools
• Drive issue resolution and product stability to enable predictable and high quality product development

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability in creative problem solving and innovation
• Meets goals with little direction and supervision
• Strong team player, effective communication skills, and highly motivated
• Knowledge of agile development and self-managed development teams from design to production

Benefits

• Paid vacation time
• Paid sick leave
• Medical/dental/vision insurance
• Life, accident and disability insurance
• Tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
• Employee assistance program
• Other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity
• Tuition reimbursement
• Transit
• The Applause Program
• Employee stock purchase plan
• The Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan
• Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan
• Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program
• Restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents