Principal Engineer - Biological Sensors Engineer

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.

As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in.

We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.

This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.

We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

Join us and let’s shape the future of data.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The job opening is for a full-time Research Staff Member in the device physics and electrical testing group in Western Digital's research department. The role will be a part of a multi-functional team whose aim is to develop future biological and chemical sensing technologies.

REQUIRED

Additional postdoctoral work in academia or industry is preferred.

The prior track record of a viable candidate must show

- Extensive coding experience in Python for instrumentation and data analysis
- Ability to design and optimize test procedures for assessing key performance metrics
- Strong scientific collaboration and communication skills
- Strong hands-on electrical device measurement skills
- Ability to innovate

SKILLS

Responsibilities

Bringing up electrical test equipment & test code; Designing electrical test procedures and analyzing test data; Generating reports and presenting analysis to team; Working with CMOS design, materials, and process teams to drive next steps to improve the technology; Generating intellectual property, publishing papers, and presenting at conferences

Requirements

Minimum of a Ph.D. in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Nice to have

Expertise in electrical measurements in aqueous solutions; Experience with biological or chemical sensors; Working knowledge of electrochemistry.; Expertise in electrical device equipment, such as AWGs, pulse generators, and oscilloscopes; Track record of publications and patents

Benefits

An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education, qualifications, certifications, and experience, (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job, (3) performance, contribution and results, (4) geographic location, (5) shift, (6) internal and external equity, and (7) business and organizational needs.; The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future.; If your position is non-exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.; You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either WD’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or the Sales Incentive Plan (“SIP”) which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to WD's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.; We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including 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, and the WD Savings 401(k) Plan.; Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.