AI Researcher

Western Digital creates technologies that power the world’s data infrastructure. From advanced storage solutions to intelligent data systems, we enable customers, businesses, and partners to unlock the full potential of their data. Across our Sales and Marketing organization, we continue to innovate, streamline operations, and accelerate growth through modern analytics and AI-driven automation.We are seeking an AI Researcher who will evaluate how artificial intelligence can improve processes, reduce operational costs, generate additional revenue opportunities, and enhance productivity across the Sales and Marketing organization. This is a research-focused role, not a developer position. The AI Researcher will analyze current workflows, tools, and data usage patterns, identify opportunities for AI-driven impact, and advise internal engineering and development teams on which solutions should be prioritized for implementation.The ideal candidate blends strategic thinking, technical understanding, and business acumen. They will research new AI techniques, assess feasibility, map processes, calculate ROI, and propose clear, actionable recommendations that enable developers and systems teams to build the highest-value solutions.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Conduct research on AI and machine learning capabilities that can support Sales and Marketing goals such as cost reduction, lead generation, funnel optimization, and workflow automationAnalyze current organizational processes and identify high-ROI opportunities for AI interventionEvaluate and score potential automation or optimization projects based on feasibility, cost, impact, and data readinessPartner closely with developers, analysts, and system owners to translate research findings into actionable system enhancementsCreate research briefs, business cases, and recommendation documents for leadershipPropose frameworks for automated lead scoring, customer segmentation, predictive insights, content generation workflows, and marketing efficiency improvementsEvaluate vendor AI tools, platforms, and integrations; compare build vs buy recommendationsDevelop a roadmap for AI adoption within Sales and Marketing, aligning with business priorities and budget constraintsStay current on industry trends, LLM advancements, AI-driven marketing technologies, and competitive benchmarksConduct ethical and risk assessments for any proposed AI solution, ensuring alignment with security and compliance standardsWhat Success Looks LikeIdentifying high-value opportunities that result in meaningful cost savings or efficiency gainsProviding clear, actionable, and prioritized recommendations to developersDelivering research that accelerates WD’s AI adoption and supports organizational decision-makingCreating a scalable and repeatable evaluation framework for future AI initiatives