Hardware Development Engineering

Western Digital•San Jose, CA

20h•$106,600 - $142,100•Onsite

About The Position

Western Digital is seeking a motivated Early Career Photolithography Process Engineer to join its wafer manufacturing team. The role supports development, optimization, and sustaining of advanced photolithography processes used in high-volume semiconductor manufacturing. The engineer will work with experienced engineers, technicians, equipment specialists, and cross-functional partners, with opportunities for technical growth, mentorship, and career development.

Requirements

B.S. or M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
Experience in semiconductor manufacturing, microfabrication, research laboratories, or other technology-focused environments.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret data and identify trends.
Experience with data analysis tools such as JMP, Python, SQL, Minitab, SAS, MATLAB, or similar platforms.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively.
Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, learning agility, and ownership of assigned projects.

Nice To Haves

Internship, co-op, research, or manufacturing experience in semiconductor processing or wafer fabrication.
Familiarity with cleanroom environments and semiconductor manufacturing practices.
Exposure to photolithography concepts such as photoresist coating, exposure, development, overlay, and critical dimension control.
Knowledge of Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Advanced Process Control (APC).
Experience with scripting, automation, machine learning, or data visualization tools.

Responsibilities

Support photolithography process development, optimization, and sustaining activities for high-volume manufacturing.
Monitor process and equipment performance using statistical analysis and data-driven problem solving.
Participate in root cause investigations and corrective actions for process excursions, yield issues, and equipment-related events.
Execute experiments and process characterizations using Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies.
Develop and implement process improvements to improve yield, cycle time, quality, and manufacturing robustness.
Support qualification of new equipment, materials, and process technologies.
Create and maintain process documentation, operating procedures, and engineering reports.
Train and support technicians, manufacturing personnel, and equipment owners.
Collaborate with Integration, Yield Enhancement, Metrology, Maintenance, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering teams.
Use Statistical Process Control (SPC), Advanced Process Control (APC), and data analytics tools to monitor and improve critical process metrics.
Gain hands-on experience with advanced lithography systems and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Benefits

Paid vacation time
Paid sick leave
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life, accident, and disability insurance
Tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
Employee assistance program
Supplemental life and AD&D coverage
Legal plan
Pet insurance
Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage
Tuition reimbursement
Transit benefits
Applause Program
Employee stock purchase plan
WD Savings 401(k) Plan
Potential eligibility for bonuses under the Short Term Incentive Plan or Sales Incentive Plan
Potential eligibility for annual long-term incentive awards, including restricted stock units or cash equivalents