Advanced Reader Process Integration Engineer

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

Western Digital seeks a process integration technologist to join our Advanced Reader Development engineering team in San Jose, CA.  The successful candidate will be part of a growing team developing Western Digital’s next generation of readback sensors for hard disk applications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Integration works with design and module process owners to determine what reader head structures can be made and how to get it done.  We carry projects from exploratory demonstrations through new product introduction.

Duties and responsibilities may include:

• Development of new process flows including exploratory process modules for read head and test structure fabrication
• Working with outside research institutes to explore new patterning processes
• Running designed experiments to understand processes and their limits
• Investigate root cause of failures through materials analysis and process histories
• Statistical analysis of process and performance data, turning it into actionable information

Qualifications

Required:

• MS +3 years of experience with degree or equivalent in Materials Science, Applied Physics, Chemistry or related field
• Experience with patterning of nanometer scale devices in a wafer fab for semiconductor or thin film recording heads
• Detailed knowledge of leading-edge patterning technologies such as SADP or DSA is a plus
• Direct experience with one or more process modules such as litho, etch, PVD etc
• Able to interpret data from materials analysis techniques such as TEM, CDSEM, FIB, AFM
• Understanding of thin film metrologies – ellipsometry, OCD, resistance mappers, XRF
• Up-to-date computer and IT skills including  scripting of data analysis tools such as JMP or R

Preferred:

• Ph.D. + 3 years of experience 
• Background in electronic and magnetic properties of materials

Skills:

• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills
• Excellent communication and technical presentation skills

Additional Information

Western Digital 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), sex (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 sex 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 "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster. Our pay transparency policy is a