Technical Program Manager, Sustainability

Company Description

Western Digital is committed to creating environments for data to thrive. We design and build storage technologies at scale, and we are advancing a resilient, low-carbon, and responsible value chain in partnership with our customers and suppliers.

Our Sustainability team accelerates product decarbonization and embeds responsible practices across our global footprint. We set ambitious goals, partner deeply with Engineering and Procurement, and operationalize measurable outcomes.

Why this role exists

This role will lead hands-on pilots, operationalize LCA/PCF into product factsheets, and drive supplier engagement to deliver auditable Scope 3 reductions and responsible sourcing outcomes.

Job Description

What you'll do — Product Sustainability Enablement (60%)

• Run pilots for new technologies (materials, processes, circularity): scope, test, de‑risk, and scale with Measurement & Verification (M&V) of environmental, business and cost impact.
• Operationalize LCA/PCF: partner with the LCA team to integrate ISO‑aligned results (ISO 14040/44, ISO 14067, GHG Product Standard) into product sustainability factsheets and customer deliverables.
• Model/compute product decarbonization: quantify CO₂e, water, waste impacts from design or process changes and produce reproducible, finance‑grade calculations.
• BOM intelligence: interpret multi‑level Bills of Materials; map parts/materials to LCA datasets; identify high‑impact components and lower‑carbon/recycled substitutions.
• Documentation & standards: ensure methods, data sources, and assumptions are traceable and audit‑ready.
• Support Design for Sustainability initiative through ideation, measurement and project tracking

What you'll do — Supply Chain Sustainability Deployment (30%)

• Upstream Scope 3: measure, track, and reduce supplier‑attributed emissions (Categories 1 & 2); prioritize hotspots and drive supplier decarbonization roadmaps (energy, materials).
• Recycled content: set targets, verification, and traceability for recycled inputs; increase PCR/PIR content while meeting quality and compliance requirements. Identify innovation and outside-in avenues to catalyze alternatives
• Responsible sourcing: support Conflict Minerals due diligence (RMI/RMAP), cobalt and other critical minerals, and broader responsible supply‑chain expectations.
• Supplier engagement: co‑create action plans with Procurement and strategic suppliers; define KPIs, data requirements, incentives, and consequence management; run supplier workshops/clinics.

What you'll do — Program Management & Governance (10%)

• Program management: build the execution plan, RAID (Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies) logs, and stage gates from pilot scale; track KPIs and publish dashboards.
• Governance: align to corporate goals and ensure on‑time exec/customer updates.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering—Environmental Engineering or a closely allied discipline (Chemical, Materials, Mechanical, Industrial with sustainability focus). OR Master's in an Environmental/Engineering field or Sustainability.
• Technical depth in sustainability: working knowledge of LCA/PCF, decarbonization levers, and environmental data (emission factors, energy, materials).
• Hands‑on delivery: experience piloting technical solutions on the factory floor or in product development (experiment design, metering/M&V, root‑cause and controls).
• BOM literacy: comfortable reading and analyzing multi‑level BOMs and material specs; ability to link to environmental datasets.

Requirements

• Supply‑chain know‑how: upstream emissions fundamentals, recycled‑content measurement, and Conflict Minerals basics; proven collaboration with Procurement and suppliers.
• Program management: track record leading cross‑functional programs from concept to scaled adoption with clear KPIs and timelines.

Skills

• Tools: openLCA/GaBi/SimaPro; ecoinvent/GaBi databases.
• Standards/frameworks: ISO 14040/44, ISO 14067, ISO water), GHG Protocol (Corporate & Product), SBTi, EPEAT/ENERGY STAR, RMAP/RMI.
• Experience qualifying recycled materials, low‑carbon materials, EPDs, or supplier PCF verification.

Additional Information

• Solid data management, analytical, data interlocking and program management background
• Demonstrated ability to lead-by-influence teams
• Ability to learn from challenges and demonstrate resilience.
• Apply WD core values Customers, Results, Connection, Excellence, and Innovation within the role

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 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.

Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that Western Digital 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 Western Digital Ethics Helpline or email