Western Digital - Software Development Engineer - Embedded/Firmware

Job Title : Engineer Software Development Engineering (Embedded)

Job Overview :

We are seeking a highly motivated Embedded Firmware Engineer to design, develop, and maintain firmware for next-generation Enterprise Hard Disk Drive (eHDD) and NAND storage products. The role involves full-stack embedded firmware development across various environments (FPGA, simulators, real hardware) with a strong emphasis on C/C++ development, system optimization, and hardware-software integration.

You will work within an Agile Scrum team, contributing to innovation, design, implementation, testing, and debugging of data path processing, software algorithms, device drivers, and performance-critical features for high-reliability storage systems.

Key Responsibilities :

Firmware Development & Integration :

- Design, implement, and optimize embedded firmware in C/C++ for enterprise storage products across FPGA, simulator, and hardware test environments.

- Develop and integrate low-level drivers, device communication protocols, and real-time data path algorithms for SAS, SATA, and PCIe interfaces.

- Implement object-oriented design principles, data structures, and efficient algorithms to meet performance, reliability, and scalability goals.

Agile Development & Collaboration :

- Participate in Agile Scrum ceremonies sprint planning, daily stand-ups, retrospectives ensuring timely delivery of assigned stories and tasks.

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (hardware, validation, system engineering) to ensure smooth firmware-hardware integration.

Documentation & Lifecycle Management :

- Create detailed design documents, interface specifications, and technical notes for different firmware development phases.

- Support end-to-end product lifecycle from concept, prototype, production, to sustaining engineering.

Debugging & Optimization :

- Perform root cause analysis and resolve complex issues in embedded systems.

- Optimize firmware for low-latency operations, power efficiency, and high throughput.

Required Qualifications & Skills :

- Education : Bachelors in CS, CE or equivalent (minimum CGPA 7.5 preferred).

- Programming : Strong proficiency in C/C++/C#, object-oriented programming, data structures, algorithms, and system design.

- Problem-Solving : Strong aptitude for algorithm design, complexity analysis, and debugging complex embedded systems.

- Learning Ability : Quick to grasp new technologies, complex codebases, and system-level architecture.

- Soft Skills : Excellent written and verbal communication, collaborative mindset, and a positive, proactive attitude.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills :

- Familiarity with microcontroller architectures (ARM, ARC) and embedded system fundamentals.

- Exposure to firmware development for storage technologies (HDD, Flash, NVMe).

- Understanding of real-time operating systems (RTOS), multi-threading, and memory management in embedded environments.

- Knowledge of storage protocols (SAS, SATA, PCIe/NVMe).