Staff Engineer, Equipment Engineering

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 and capture the first-ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, and WD_BLACK™.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

As a Staff Equipment Engineer specializing in sputter media, you will be responsible for overseeing the operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of sputtering equipment used in the production of hard disk media. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure optimal equipment performance, minimize downtime, cycle time improvement and contribute to the development of new processes and technologies.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee day-to-day equipment maintenance activities, troubleshooting, and line issue management to ensure high equipment availability and minimal production downtime.
• Lead equipment reliability, maintenance, and engineering improvement initiatives to support stable and efficient manufacturing operations.
• Drive preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to improve equipment reliability, reduce failures, and sustain long-term operational performance.
• Lead equipment upgrades, machine conversions, and technology improvements to support next-generation HDD product requirements.
• Manage new equipment installation, commissioning, and acceptance testing to ensure systems meet operational, safety, and process specifications before production release.
• Monitor and analyze equipment performance, reliability, and OEE data to identify improvement opportunities and drive operational excellence.
• Lead root cause analysis for equipment failures, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions to prevent recurrence.
• Collaborate with Process Engineering and Sputter Yield teams to improve yield performance, reduce defects, and enhance process capability.
• Coordinate closely with Production, Quality, Facilities, and other cross-functional teams to ensure smooth production operations and achieve manufacturing targets.
• Manage engineering projects related to equipment upgrades, modifications, and system improvements, ensuring timely execution within scope and budget.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians to strengthen team capability and technical competency.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, including SOPs, maintenance procedures, and best practices for equipment operation and sustainment.
• Ensure all equipment and related systems comply with safety regulations, company policies, and industry standards.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by introducing new technologies, automation solutions, and engineering best practices.
• Strengthen knowledge sharing and technical skill development within the engineering team to build a high-performing equipment engineering organization.
• Maintain strong collaboration with OEM suppliers and technical partners to support equipment upgrades, troubleshooting, and technology development.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Materials Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in equipment engineering, preferably in sputter media, semiconductor, vacuum coating, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of vacuum systems, sputtering equipment, automation systems, and equipment control architecture.
• Strong analytical and data analysis skills to evaluate equipment performance, reliability trends, and OEE improvements.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access) and ability to analyze and present technical data effectively.

PREFERRED:

• Experience in a sputter media or semiconductor manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of high-vacuum technology and plasma physics.

SKILLS:

• Knowledge of vacuum systems and thin-film deposition processes, with the ability to support sputtering equipment operation and performance optimization.
• Experience with PLC systems, automation, and equipment control systems, including supporting system modifications and interface improvements.
• Proficiency in using diagnostic tools and equipment for troubleshooting.
• Solid understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC), equipment performance analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively to a team environment
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly present technical information to engineers, technicians, and management.
• Strong technical writing skills for creating detailed reports and documentation

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