Associate, Corporate Strategy Analyst

Strategic Projects Ownership Associate will independently own and lead strategic projects that span both core business in data storage as well as New Ventures which covers new business opportunities related to technologies in photonics, magnetics, and nano-fabrication. Independently lead and own project outputs end-to-end including market sizing, competitive landscaping, end customer and segment analysis, GTM frameworks, build-buy-partner assessments, and more; serve as a credible thought partner to executives and cross-functional stakeholders. Track timelines, synthesize cross-functional inputs, and deliver against tight deadlines with minimal supervision while escalating appropriately on critical decisions. Research & Analysis Conduct primary and secondary research: market sizing, competitive landscaping, customer and partner dynamics, technology trend tracking, and peer benchmarking. Synthesize insights from diverse sources into clear analytical conclusions that inform strategic recommendations. Executive Deliverables Develop executive-quality deliverables: structured slide decks, one-pagers, briefing notes, and read-outs for executive leadership (C-suite and Board) audiences. Translate complex analysis into clear, compelling narratives suitable for senior leadership consumption. Financial & Analytical Modeling Build and maintain supporting financial and analytical models including market sizing, scenario analysis, business case development, and GTM economics. Develop quantitative frameworks that underpin strategic recommendations with rigor and defensibility. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner closely with cross-functional stakeholders to align on strategic priorities, gather inputs, and drive recommendations through to decisions. Build trusted relationships with commercial, product, and finance stakeholders and drive alignment independently. Minimum of 3–6 years experience overall with minimum 2 spent in consulting, corporate strategy, investment banking, or a research-intensive analytical role; progressive career trajectory with increasing scope, ownership, and complexity of work over time. Demonstrated ability to own and lead complex strategic projects end-to-end with C-suite output quality, from problem structuring through to final recommendation. Strong financial and analytical acumen including models, scenario analysis, and business case development; comfortable with quantitative frameworks. Experience conducting primary research (expert interviews, customer conversations, channel checks) and secondary research (industry reports, analyst research, public filings) to inform strategic recommendations. Strong cross-functional collaborator who can build trusted relationships with commercial, product, and finance stakeholders; drives alignment independently. Experience working with senior leaders and delivering executive-level deliverables independently. Solid Excel and PowerPoint skills; data visualization a plus. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Experience supporting or embedded in commercial, GTM, or sales organizations preferred Preferred Qualifications Prior experience in deep technology, data storage, semiconductor, or enterprise infrastructure. Experience with competitive intelligence or market research tools (e.g., PitchBook, Bloomberg, Gartner). Education MBA or equivalent work experience preferred. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Economics, Finance, or a related analytical field. Location San Jose, California (must be willing to relocate) Flexibility for remote work within established company policies. 10-20% travel including domestic and international travel to meet with targets, advisors, investors, partners, and industry events. What Makes This Role Unique This is a high-impact analytical role at the center of Western Digital's corporate strategy function, offering direct exposure to the Executive Leadership Team on the company's most important strategic questions. The Associate will independently drive strategic projects championed by senior executives on a wide range of topics and business areas that cover core business (HDD, data storage, infrastructure, AI/cloud) and New Ventures. The role offers a rare opportunity to build deep expertise in AI infrastructure, data storage, and new deep technologies while operating with the autonomy and rigor of a top-tier corporate strategy function. Overview Western Digital is entering a new chapter. Following our spin-off of SanDisk, we are stepping into our future as an independent deep-tech company, one built on decades of engineering breakthroughs and pointed squarely at the biggest technological frontiers of our time. We are a company of physicists, materials scientists, AI researchers, and engineers. We work at the frontier of magnetics, photonics, nanofabrication, and machine learning - disciplines most people never encounter, solving problems most people don't know exist. Our teams hold one of the largest intellectual property banks in Silicon Valley, and our labs are staffed with hundreds of PhDs who've spent their careers pushing what's physically possible. Most folks know us as a data storage company, powering data centers, hyperscale clouds, and AI systems that define the modern economy. HDD is the backbone of the AI economy and the most scalable, cost-efficient way to store the world's data - and we're building its future. But it's only part of the story. In the past, our technology has helped put a man on the moon and captured the first-ever picture of a black hole. The next generation of what we are building will shape robotics, quantum computing, space systems, personalized medicine, autonomous vehicles, and more. We are entering the most ambitious phase of our company's history. As AI reshapes every industry and every workload, the world needs more data infrastructure, better materials science, and deeper engineering talent than ever before. That's what we do. That's