Principal Developer, (IT Applications Specialist)

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

As a Principal Engineer at Western Digital, acting as an Optimization and Transformation Specialist – IT Applications, you will play a pivotal role in maintaining the stability, security, and efficiency of critical applications. You will also lead innovative initiatives to simplify, transform, and optimize various processes, such as the Software Asset Management pipeline, in collaboration with procurement, legal, and other cross-functional teams and others. This role requires strong technical expertise in Java/Python programming and dashboarding tools like Power BI or similar, a data-analyst mindset to leverage GenAI solutions for business requirements, proficiency in supporting desktop/laptop systems, Windows/Mac OS, networking, SQL databases, and security, with a focus on hosted applications. You will collaborate closely with IT, procurement, and Engineering teams to optimize application workloads on desktop/laptop environments, manage licenses effectively, and provide technical leadership to drive engineering teams' success in delivering high-quality products efficiently.

Management pipeline, by collaborating with procurement, legal, and cross-functional teams.

• Identify opportunities for innovation using emerging technologies like GenAI and automation tools.

• Develop and maintain applications with a focus on performance, stability, and scalability, leveraging programming skills in Java/Python.

• Provide advanced support for desktop/laptop systems, including Windows/Mac OS, Linux, networking, and SQL databases, ensuring seamless operations.

• Create interactive dashboards using tools like Power BI or other data visualization platforms to drive data-driven decisions.

• Apply a data analyst mindset to extract actionable insights, optimizing workflows and resource utilization.

• Leverage scripting languages such as Windows Batch, PowerShell, Linux Shell, and Visual Basic to automate tasks, enhancing automation frameworks for improved operational efficiency.

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues in web applications hosted on Tomcat/Apache, ensuring a strong focus on security and performance.

• Oversee the installation, upgrades, and license management of critical applications using tools like FlexLM/SCCM.

• Monitor application health and performance using advanced monitoring tools like Nagios or similar.

• Work closely with IT, engineering, and procurement teams to align IT initiatives with business goals.

• Act as a bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders to streamline communication and project execution.

• Drive the adoption of cutting-edge solutions, including GenAI, to automate repetitive tasks and enhance system capabilities.

• Stay updated on emerging trends and technologies to proactively recommend improvements.

• Mentor junior engineers and team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

• Document processes and best practices to ensure knowledge continuity and system reliability.

• Ensure application and infrastructure security by implementing cybersecurity principles, conducting risk assessments, and enforcing compliance with internal and external standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering, or a related field.

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in IT project management, systems support, and Applications environments.

• Strong technical skills in Windows/Linux OS, networking, virtualization (VMWare), and Microsoft SQL databases.

• Programming experience on java .net or any language is a plus.

• Work on cutting-edge technologies and influence next-gen automation frameworks.

• Proven ability to manage and support large-scale application environments, providing platform-as-a-service for a significant user base.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.

• Strong communication and collaboration skills, capable of working effectively in a team environment.

• SAFe Certified, CSM, ITIL V3, PMP, or Six Sigma certifications are a plus.

• Cloud platform knowledge is an added advantage

In this role, you will leverage your extensive experience to lead critical projects and provide technical leadership, ensuring the successful deployment and management of Applications that enable innovation and efficiency across the organization.