Advanced Transducer Development Senior Engineering Manager

Seagate Technology•Bloomington, MN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

At Seagate our mission is to build the world's best data storage devices. The Advanced Transducer Development group is a global R D organization that develops new recording head technologies to advance areal density and enable Seagate's HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 4 year+ product roadmap. Our process team uses state-of-the-art wafer fabrication tools and cleanroom facilities to innovate and deliver leading-edge writers and read sensors. With an emphasis on proving feasibility of new devices, processes and materials, we help build Seagate's future time-to-market leadership. If you are excited by innovative technology development, are naturally creative, and passionate about seeing ideas come to life then this could be a perfect fit for your research and development career.About the role - you will: Direct the work of a team of engineers and technicians to deliver write head process solutions for Seagate's advanced technology roadmap. Build and develop a curious, skilled and highly-adaptable engineering team with an innovative mindset and internal customer focus. Work with head design, wafer process development and production engineering partner groups to define gaps for future product nodes (typically n+3 and beyond). Create and maintain a roster of development projects needed to close key gaps. Supervise project conception, prioritization, assignment and execution of projects with emphasis on technology readiness level 0 through 4 (conception through M0). Invent and optimize novel unit process and integration modules required to support TRL level migrations. Engage with equipment suppliers for specification, demonstration, selection, and delivery of new process and measurement tools. Work with NRM partner groups to coordinate time-sharing of RD process equipment to support advanced project needs. Oversee support for wafer builds needed to achieve quality, velocity, shipment and scrap goals in pursuit of TRL closures. Participate in downstream data and failure analyses to inform unit process and device performance improvements. Support transfers of successful new technologies to product development team. Collaborate on tool configurations and consumables, conduct TRRs and coordinate training of product development staff to ensure independent ownership. Identify and drive external research collaborations on emerging paths. Create and secure intellectual property through patent disclosures. About you: You are an effective leader capable of managing, communicating with and developing a diverse group of engineers and technicians. You are a clear communicator, proficient at discussing the group's priorities, plans and progress across all staff levels. You thrive when working on new technologies and take great interest in pathfinding solutions to the most challenging problems. You have a track record of innovation, with an ability to monitor vendors, literature, universities, conferences and the competitive landscape as sources of information for defining new ideas and directions. You are self-motivated, able to work independently, have strong attention to detail, and are a well-organized multitasker. You can effectively balance wafer processing needs, pathfinding activities and personnel development in your day-to-day work. You are facile with statistical-based experimentation and decision-making. You are comfortable adapting to and managing frequent priority changes in the group's work.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or related field and 12+ years of experience, or Master's degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or related field and 8+ years of experience, or PHD and 5+ years of experience or equivalent education and experience.
7+ years' hands-on experience in device wafer processing, nanofabrication and/or advanced thin film materials development.
In-depth understanding of wafer-scale unit processes (deposition, etch, lithography, wet processing, etc) and device integration techniques (CAD, targeting, defect resolution, upstream test, yield improvement, etc).
Familiarity/expertise with a wide variety of laboratory techniques and HVM-capable wafer equipment platforms.
Leadership experience within a technology development organization, either in functional technical management or team leadership roles. Experience working cross-site and either mentoring or directing the work of junior technical staff is highly desirable.
Demonstrated success in innovation in unit process, module or device engineering, including a proven track record of delivering innovations from concept to proof-of-concept and pilot scale.
Proficiency with statistical experimentation (including DOE design and analysis), clean room operations, SPC and other wafer factory systems are preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct the work of a team of engineers and technicians to deliver write head process solutions for Seagate's advanced technology roadmap.
Build and develop a curious, skilled and highly-adaptable engineering team with an innovative mindset and internal customer focus.
Work with head design, wafer process development and production engineering partner groups to define gaps for future product nodes (typically n+3 and beyond).
Create and maintain a roster of development projects needed to close key gaps. Supervise project conception, prioritization, assignment and execution of projects with emphasis on technology readiness level 0 through 4 (conception through M0).
Invent and optimize novel unit process and integration modules required to support TRL level migrations.
Engage with equipment suppliers for specification, demonstration, selection, and delivery of new process and measurement tools.
Work with NRM partner groups to coordinate time-sharing of RD process equipment to support advanced project needs.
Oversee support for wafer builds needed to achieve quality, velocity, shipment and scrap goals in pursuit of TRL closures.
Participate in downstream data and failure analyses to inform unit process and device performance improvements.
Support transfers of successful new technologies to product development team. Collaborate on tool configurations and consumables, conduct TRRs and coordinate training of product development staff to ensure independent ownership.
Identify and drive external research collaborations on emerging paths.
Create and secure intellectual property through patent disclosures.