Technical Learning & Development Specialist

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that—our technology helped people put a man on the moon and capture the first-ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, WD_BLACK™, and SanDisk® Professional brands.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

Job Description

As the learning and development specialist, you will manage the activities involved in the design, preparation, and need assessment of technical training and development programs for company managers and employees. You will partner with Business Leaders, Human Resources team, and external vendors to assess, design, prepare and implement organizational technical development programs, processes, and training initiatives to support organizational strategies across HDD Operations Unit (OU) and Business Unit (OU) globally. You will facilitate technical development content creation based on adult learning and blended learning philosophies (i.e., the “how” to create engaging training) required to enable functions to enhance workforce technical capabilities:

1. Facilitate and/or assist in content creation / review and training flow for technical development programs with a modern learning experience.
2. Facilitate formatting of content for uploading to learning management systems (Learning Management System: Cornerstone "Career Explorer").
3. Collaborate with functional leaders and LMS team to curate training playlists / training rosters based on job descriptions and skills requirements.
4. Collaborate with Generative AI (GenAI) platform owners to enable an interactive environment capable of recommending foundational training rosters (i.e., minimum recommended training) given a job description.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, deliver, and support a learning strategy for Hard Disk Drive (HDD) Fundamentals with a focus on Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR).

  • Partner with subject matter experts in the HDD Operations Unit (OU) and Business Unit (BU) to define, design, and create core curriculum content.
  • Guide the development of training content in partnership with internal subject matter experts and training vendors, where needed, to deliver a technology-based blended learning experience based on modern learning philosophies and adult learning behavior for existing employees and new hires.
  • Influence instructional design of technical learning and development programs.
  • Develop learning metrics to measure and inform learning transfer / knowledge transfer effectiveness.

• Define and set up the learning infrastructure needed for the success of organizational technical development

  • Learning infrastructure includes developing technical development content based on the technical competency framework, learning management system, and role-based learning pathways.
  • Partner with business leads to identify and provide the support needed for developing technical content for training development either through vendors, contractors or internal Western Digital (WD) resources (e.g., new college graduates, interns, etc.)
  • Help leaders understand effective training material, taxonomy, and assessment of learning outcomes given the introduction of HAMR technology and ongoing automation and digitization efforts.
  • Partner with WD’s Performance, Development and Engagement team to understand our LMS functionality, create and drive governance for LMS admins in HDD OU and BU.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent with master’s degree or relevant certification preferred.
• At least 5-8 years of experience in the learning and development space. HDD technical knowledge / work experience is a bonus.
• Experience leading learning function, designing/delivering learning programs at scale, and working with Learning Management Systems.
• Foundational understanding of adult learning principles and latest trends in learning (e.g., micro-learning, social learning, learning experience design).
• Proven record of influencing, leading and facilitating strategic initiatives with senior executive stakeholders.
• Exercises a global mindset and approaches differences with curiosity; experience working and navigating globally preferred.
• Operates with a consultative mindset, conducting diagnostics, developing strategies, and implementing solutions to enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Exhibits data fluency to deliver compelling insights for effective decision-making, partnering with analytics team in the process.
• Leads and supports transformation and change by helping the company and individuals accept and embrace change in a way that positively shapes the future.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills (including presentation skills) across levels to influence, build enthusiasm and enlist commitment.

SKILLS:

• Training Needs Assessment – Ability to assess skills gaps and training needs across various job roles.
• Instructional Design – Knowledge of adult learning theories, blended learning, and modern instructional design methodologies.
• Content Development – Experience in creating engaging training materials using various formats (e.g., e-learning, virtual, instructor-led).
• Learning Management Systems (LMS) – Familiarity with LMS platforms like Career Explorer for uploading, managing, and tracking learning content.
• Training Facilitation – Ability to deliver and facilitate training sessions in a compelling and interactive manner.
• Technical Training Programs – Experience in developing and implementing technical training for employees and managers.
• Generative AI & Technology Integration – Understanding of AI-based learning tools like NOVI for training recommendations.
• Training Curation & Organization – Skill in curating learning playlists and training rosters aligned with job descriptions.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Management – Ability to work with Business Leaders, HR, and external vendors to align training initiatives with organizational goals.
• Project Management – Managing multiple training initiatives, ensuring timely delivery and effectiveness.
• Communication & Presentation – Strong ability to present training content in an engaging and effective manner.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills – Ability to analyze learning trends, measure training effectiveness, and make data-driven decisions.

Additional Information

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.

#LI-KS2