Let’s get started
By clicking ‘Next’, I agree to the Terms of Service
and Privacy Policy
Jobs / Job page
New College Grad, Field Applications (Sales) Engineering image - Rise Careers
Job details

New College Grad, Field Applications (Sales) Engineering

Company Description

At Western Digital, we are on a mission to unlock the potential of data so people, companies and organizations everywhere can create what’s next. To fulfill our vision, we are always on the lookout for potential team members who share our passion for solving problems to empower others.

When you join Western Digital, you join a legacy more than 50 years in the making. Across our Western Digital®, SanDisk®, SanDisk® Professional, WD® and WD_BLACK™ brands, we have brought some of the most storied advancements in memory and data storage technology to market—and our best, most innovative work is yet to come.

From energizing 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.

Here’s how you can help.

Job Description

Western Digital is seeking a New College Graduate to join the Field Applications Engineering team in San Jose, CA. The candidate will be responsible for working with account teams supporting our key customers. Working together with an experienced group of storage professionals, you will work with the account team to manage qualification and sustaining activities and projects. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Taking care of customer requests and answer product-related questions
  • Updating trackers for qualification and sustaining issues
  • Collaborate with customer on developing qualification plans for new products
  • Manage and track qualification metrics and deliverables
  • Lead periodical customer meeting to track customer qualification progress, issue and initiatives
  • Hands-on 1st level failure analysis to debug customer issue
  • Work hand-in-hand with Engineering and other cross-functional organizations to resolve issues and provide closure response to customer
  • Assist with communicating customer requests for compliance with internal teams and coordinate customer deliverables such as feature request, required documents, etc.
  • Represent and advocate customer needs and priorities to internal teams

The ideal candidate should have a strong engineering background, along with a desire to work externally with some of Western Digital’s largest customers. The candidate’s skillset should include a data analytics background, good project management skills, strong verbal and written communication, and the ability to thrive in a team environment. 

Western Digital will not offer future visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates who are based in the San Jose, CA area will be prioritized. 

Qualifications

REQUIRED

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or related engineering field with a graduation date before July 2025. The expected start date for this position is in July or August 2025.
  • Interest in working in a customer-facing engineering setting
  • Academic or professional experience in hardware/firmware failure analysis
  • Past experience working with Hard Disk Drives a plus
  • Proficiency in Python, SQL, C/C++
  • Data science/ analytics skillset (preferably in Python, SAS, JMP)
  • Proficiency with MS Office Suite

SKILLS

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to work in a cross-functional team setting.
  • Good project management, problem-solving, analytical, and presentation skills.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here.

Western Digital 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.

Western Digital 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 [email protected] 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.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be March 3, 2024, although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.

#LI-AP1

Compensation & Benefits Details

  • 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.
  • You will be eligible to participate in Western Digital’s Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan, 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 Western Digital’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 Western Digital 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.
Western Digital Glassdoor Company Review
3.6 Glassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star icon Glassdoor star icon Glassdoor star icon
Western Digital DE&I Review
No rating Glassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star iconGlassdoor star icon
CEO of Western Digital
Western Digital CEO photo
David Goeckeler
Approve of CEO

Average salary estimate

$80000 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$70000K
$90000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About New College Grad, Field Applications (Sales) Engineering, Western Digital

Are you a recent college graduate eager to kickstart your career in engineering? Western Digital is excited to invite a New College Grad to join our Field Applications Engineering team in sunny San Jose, CA! As part of our passionate team, you’ll have the opportunity to dive into exciting projects while supporting our key customers. Your role will be vital in liaising between customers and our engineering team, answering product-related questions, and managing qualification metrics to ensure everything runs smoothly. You’ll work side-by-side with seasoned professionals, tackling technical challenges, conducting hands-on failure analyses, and developing qualification plans for new products. We’re looking for a candidate with a solid engineering background who is ready to shine in a customer-facing setting. If you have a knack for data analytics and strong communication skills, you could be the perfect fit! At Western Digital, you’ll be part of a legacy that’s shaping the future of data storage technology, so prepare for an inspiring journey ahead. Join us and unlock endless possibilities!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for New College Grad, Field Applications (Sales) Engineering Role at Western Digital
What responsibilities does the New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering position at Western Digital include?

The New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering position at Western Digital involves working closely with account teams to support key customers. You will take care of customer requests, manage qualification metrics, conduct hands-on failure analysis, and lead meetings to track qualification progress. The role requires strong collaboration with customers and internal engineering teams to ensure deliverables are met.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What qualifications are needed for the New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering role at Western Digital?

To qualify for the New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering role at Western Digital, candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field, graduating before July 2025. Experience in hardware/firmware failure analysis, proficiency in Python, SQL, or C/C++, and strong project management skills are highly desirable.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Is prior experience necessary for the New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering position at Western Digital?

While prior professional experience is not mandatory for the New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering position at Western Digital, having academic or internship experience in hardware and firmware failure analysis is beneficial. A strong foundation in engineering concepts is essential, along with an eagerness to learn and grow in a customer-facing role.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What skills are essential for the New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering role at Western Digital?

The skills essential for the New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering role at Western Digital include excellent communication abilities, project management, analytical thinking, and familiarity with data tools like Python or SAS. The candidate should also excel in problem-solving and thrive in a collaborative team environment.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What is the work environment like for the New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering position at Western Digital?

The work environment for the New College Grad, Field Applications Engineering position at Western Digital is dynamic and collaborative. You will be working alongside experienced professionals and will have opportunities to participate in cross-functional projects. The culture emphasizes innovation, problem-solving, and a commitment to customer success.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Common Interview Questions for New College Grad, Field Applications (Sales) Engineering
What interests you about the Field Applications Engineering role at Western Digital?

When answering this question, highlight your passion for technology and data storage solutions. Discuss how the role aligns with your career goals and your desire to work in a customer-centric environment where you can apply your engineering skills to solve real-world problems.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Can you describe a time when you successfully worked in a team?

Provide an example from your academic experience or internships where you collaborated on a project. Focus on your specific contributions and how teamwork helped achieve common goals. Emphasize communication and conflict resolution skills.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects?

Explain your approach to prioritization, such as using a task management system or evaluating deadlines and importance. Discuss the importance of staying organized and adjusting priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What experience do you have with data analytics tools like Python or SQL?

Share specific coursework or projects where you utilized Python, SQL, or other analytics tools. Talk about the context of your learning and how you applied these skills to analyze data and draw meaningful insights.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How would you handle a situation where a customer is dissatisfied with a product?

Discuss your approach to customer service and problem-solving. Emphasize the importance of listening to customer concerns, validating their feelings, and collaborating with your team to resolve the issue effectively.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What strategies do you use for effective communication in a technical setting?

Highlight the importance of clarity and conciseness in communication, especially when discussing complex technical topics. Discuss adjusting your language based on your audience, as well as using visual aids when necessary.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Describe a technical project you worked on and its outcomes.

Choose a project that showcases your skills and contributions. Explain the technical challenges you faced, the methodologies you employed, and the positive outcomes or results of your efforts.

Join Rise to see the full answer
What have you learned about hardware or firmware failure analysis?

Share knowledge gained through coursework, projects, or research. Discuss the methods used for identifying failures and potential solutions. Express your eagerness to apply this knowledge in real-world scenarios at Western Digital.

Join Rise to see the full answer
How do you keep your technical skills current?

Discuss methods such as attending workshops, taking online courses, or engaging in personal projects that allow you to stay updated with the latest technologies and advancements in your field.

Join Rise to see the full answer
Why do you want to work at Western Digital specifically?

Express admiration for Western Digital’s impact on data storage technology and its commitment to innovation. Discuss how the company’s values align with your own and your enthusiasm for contributing to its legacy.

Join Rise to see the full answer

At Western Digital, we believe in the promise of data and we’re redefining how the world keeps and leverages it. We power the technology and develop the solutions that transform the possibilities of data into reality. At every step, we innovate wi...

217 jobs
MATCH
Calculating your matching score...
FUNDING
SENIORITY LEVEL REQUIREMENT
TEAM SIZE
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
December 5, 2024

Subscribe to Rise newsletter

Risa star 🔮 Hi, I'm Risa! Your AI
Career Copilot
Want to see a list of jobs tailored to
you, just ask me below!