Application Lead, Information Technology

Company Description WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy. As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in. We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide. This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today. We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level. Join us and let’s shape the future of data. Job Description We are seeking an experienced and technically strong Application Lead to join our Manufacturing IT Application team. The successful candidate will serve as a key technical contributor and team anchor — independently leading complex application development, providing technical mentorship, and driving digital transformation initiatives aligned with our manufacturing automation and digitalization goals. This role demands a self-directed professional who can operate with minimal supervision, manage multiple priorities across cross-functional stakeholders, and contribute to system architecture decisions. Key Responsibilities Application Development & System Ownership Lead the design, development, and maintenance of manufacturing-used applications using .NET Core and related frameworks, ensuring high availability, performance, and scalability. Serve as the primary technical owner of critical manufacturing IT systems deployed across multiple production sites (e.g., online tracking, WIP systems, testing & quality data platforms). Architect and implement application solutions that support manufacturing process monitoring, automation, and data traceability. Own full software development lifecycle (SDLC) from requirements analysis, solution design, development, testing, deployment, and post-production support. Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex software, ensuring optimal system performance and user experience. Data & Integration Design and maintain robust database structures (SQL Server, Oracle DB, MySQL) and data pipelines to support manufacturing analytics and operational reporting. Lead data integration and linkage efforts between manufacturing systems (e.g., MES, testing & quality systems) to enable end-to-end product genealogy tracking and operational visibility. Support data onboarding, cleansing, and structured analysis for manufacturing process monitoring tools (e.g., Spotfire, Power BI, or equivalent). Digital Transformation & Innovation Act as a technical point person for MFG IT application and integration project requests — evaluating feasibility, defining technical approaches, and coordinating delivery priorities. Drive digitalization initiatives including manufacturing line automation, IoT integrations, AI/ML proof-of-concept implementations (e.g., computer vision for defect analysis, smartwatch-based applications), and digital worker agent platforms. Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies relevant to smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 objectives. Technical Leadership & Mentorship Provide technical guidance, coaching to junior developers and peers within the MFG IT App team. Lead architectural discussions and propose technical standards, design patterns, and best practices for the team. Support knowledge transfer, documentation, and continuity planning to safeguard organizational knowledge. Stakeholder Collaboration & Project Coordination Collaborate closely with business users, process engineers, IT network/server teams, and analytical teams to translate manufacturing requirements into effective IT solutions. Coordinate task delivery across multi-site teams, managing timelines and escalating risks proactively. Participate actively in Agile stand-up meeting — sprint planning, daily stand-ups, retrospectives — and contribute to continuous improvement of delivery practices. Review and maintain technical documentation, solution design documents, and user manuals. Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field. Minimum 5–7 years of hands-on software development experience, with at least 3 years in a manufacturing or industrial IT environment. Demonstrated expertise in .NET Core / C#, web application development, and RESTful API design. Strong proficiency in relational database systems (SQL Server, Oracle DB, or MySQL) including query optimization and schema design. Proven experience owning and delivering complex, multi-stakeholder IT projects end-to-end. Preferred Experience with manufacturing systems such as MES, WIP tracking, quality data systems, or equivalent. Familiarity with AI/ML concepts — including computer vision, predictive analytics, or LLM/agent-based applications — and their practical application in manufacturing. Experience with data visualization tools such as Spotfire, or Power BI. Knowledge of multi-site application deployment and cross-regional IT project coordination. Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira). Exposure to IoT platforms, sensor data integration, or edge computing in manufacturing environments. Additional information WD 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), gender (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 gender 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 "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law" poster. WD thrives on the power of diversity. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect, and contribution. Our leaders, including managers and supervisors, actively support diversity and inclusion in the workplace. To learn more, click here. WD is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with a disability. If you need a reasonable accommodation, email us at ••••@wdc.com . 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. NOTICE TO CANDIDATES: WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email ••••@wdc.com .