Principal Developer, (IT Applications Specialist)

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.