Product Design Engineering Technologist

Job title: Product Design Engineering Technologist

About the Role The Product Design Engineering Technologist develops robust head-media interfaces for magnetic recording media, which will be integrated into Western Digital's hard disk drive products. This role involves collaborating with R&D and worldwide teams to innovate and productize recording media designs, and to manage complex manufacturing systems while ensuring defect mitigation, quality assurance, and reliability standards.

What You'll Do

• Develop head-media interface designs that meet product performance requirements and scale into high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Improve hard disk sputtering processes to reduce defects and enhance manufacturing yield.
• Optimize magnetic areal density by reducing head-media spacing while maintaining reliability specifications and performance standards.
• Conduct comprehensive testing and validation of recording media designs to ensure compliance with product specifications and industry standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality assurance, and product engineering to drive innovation and process improvements.
• Analyze manufacturing data and performance metrics to identify optimization opportunities and implement corrective actions.
• Document technical findings, design specifications, and process improvements through detailed reports and presentations.
• Support the transition of new designs from development to production, ensuring manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.

What We're Looking For

• Master's or PhD degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related engineering field.
• 15+ years of engineering development or R&D experience for magnetic recording media in hard disk drive applications.
• In-depth knowledge of hard disk carbon overcoat and lubricant processes, as well as reliability testing methodology.
• Strong technical knowledge in vacuum technology, including physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in head-media interface design and optimization for high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to analyze manufacturing data and performance metrics to identify process optimization opportunities.

Nice to Have

• In-depth understanding of disk sputter equipment operation, preferably with hands-on experience on ANELVA deposition tools.
• Quality Engineering knowledge and experience with defect mitigation strategies.
• Experience transitioning new designs from development to production phases with focus on manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.
• Track record of leading cross-functional collaboration initiatives between manufacturing, QA, and product engineering teams.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary not disclosed.
• Benefits not disclosed.