Quality Specialist Engineer

About the Company

Western Digital builds technologies that help power modern innovation and expand what is possible in data storage. The company supports customers ranging from creative professionals and consumers to large enterprises, cloud providers, and industrial organizations, with a portfolio that includes HDDs and other platforms under the Western Digital, WD, and WD_BLACK brands.

The organization describes itself as a problem-solving company that has contributed to landmark technological achievements and continues to support the data needs of the AI era. This role is based in Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Role Overview

Western Digital is looking for a quality-focused engineer to strengthen quality systems across the product lifecycle. The position is responsible for helping ensure products deliver strong reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction while supporting compliance with international standards and internal frameworks.

You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, sales, and other business teams to improve processes, investigate issues, and embed quality into every stage from design through production and delivery.

Quality Planning and Systems

• Create, roll out, and update quality assurance plans, inspection methods, and related documentation.
• Help ensure alignment with standards such as ISO 9001 and the company’s internal quality requirements.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of the quality management system.

Auditing and Compliance

• Carry out internal audits to check process compliance and uncover areas for improvement.
• Support external audit activities, including supplier and customer audits.
• Follow through on corrective and preventive actions arising from audit observations.

Quality Reporting and Analytics

• Set, monitor, and evaluate key quality performance indicators.
• Prepare management-ready reports with practical recommendations and findings.
• Use data analysis to spot patterns, identify root causes, and uncover improvement opportunities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, and sales stakeholders.
• Ensure quality considerations are built into the full product journey, from design to manufacturing and delivery.
• Serve as an important link between technical teams and business partners.

Process Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Track production processes and flag defects or deviations.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts and put corrective measures in place.
• Drive improvement projects using structured problem-solving and continuous improvement methods.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical discipline such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, or a similar field. Prior experience in quality assurance or quality engineering, preferably in a manufacturing or industrial setting, is expected.

Strong familiarity with quality tools and methods is required, including FMEA, Six Sigma or Lean approaches, SPC, 8D problem-solving, and ISO 9001-based quality systems. The role also calls for strong analytical thinking, careful attention to detail, disciplined execution, excellent communication, and the ability to work effectively in global, cross-functional teams.

Business-level fluency in both German and English, written and spoken, is required.

Additional Information

Western Digital emphasizes diversity and inclusion, aiming to create a workplace where people from different backgrounds can contribute and feel a sense of belonging. The company also states that it supports applicants with disabilities and provides accommodation during the hiring process. Requests for accommodation can be sent to jobs.accommodations@wdc.com and should include the accommodation needed, the job title, and the requisition number.

WD also notes that it will never ask candidates to pay money as a condition of applying or receiving an offer. Any such request should be reported to the WD Ethics Helpline or by email to compliance@wdc.com.