Early College Talent - Failure Analysis Engineer

Western Digital•San Jose, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Failure Analysis Engineer to join our engineering team in San Jose, United States. In this role, you will be responsible for investigating and analyzing product failures to identify root causes and develop solutions that enhance product reliability and performance. You will work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, leveraging your technical expertise and problem-solving skills to drive continuous improvement and innovation across our organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
Conduct failure analysis of HDDs in a cleanroom environment using microscopy, surface analysis tools, and metrology equipment.
Apply systematic problem-solving methodologies to determine root causes of drive failures.
Evaluate multiple hypotheses, interpret analytical results, and determine appropriate next steps.
Understand electrical failure analysis testing and its relationship to mechanical drive functionality
Document findings clearly and maintain accurate records in the failure analysis database
Review historical failure data to inform current investigations
Collaborate with design, manufacturing, quality, and customer support teams locally and globally
Contribute to process improvements by developing new techniques or automation solutions
Maintain laboratory equipment according to calibration schedules and documentation standards

Nice To Haves

Basic understanding of hard disk drives and head/disk interface will be a plus.
Disk handling tools, metrology instruments, and hand tools.
Aware of hard disk drive manufacturing and test processes, drive reliability, and associated failure mechanisms.
Familiar with analytical techniques such as: Raman, FTIR, SEM and TOF-SIMS
Familiar with electrical FA methodology and interpretation of findings.
Data analytical skills.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive laboratory testing and diagnostics on failed components and systems to gather critical data for failure analysis
Develop and execute systematic failure analysis methodologies to investigate complex technical issues
Collaborate with senior engineers, design teams, and manufacturing partners to summarize test data and formulate evidence-based failure analysis conclusions
Document all findings, observations, test results, and recommendations in detailed, well-organized technical reports
Maintain accurate and organized records of all test data, experimental results, analysis findings, and supporting documentation
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and specialized testing tools with precision and efficiency
Present failure analysis findings and recommendations to stakeholders, including technical and non-technical audiences
Identify trends and patterns in failure data to support preventive measures and process improvements
Mentor junior engineers and interns on failure analysis techniques and best practices
Stay current with industry standards, emerging technologies, and best practices in failure analysis
Support the development and optimization of failure analysis procedures and protocols
Conduct failure analysis of HDDs in a cleanroom environment using microscopy, surface analysis tools, and metrology equipment.
Apply systematic problem-solving methodologies to determine root causes of drive failures.
Evaluate multiple hypotheses, interpret analytical results, and determine appropriate next steps.
Understand electrical failure analysis testing and its relationship to mechanical drive functionality
Document findings clearly and maintain accurate records in the failure analysis database
Review historical failure data to inform current investigations
Collaborate with design, manufacturing, quality, and customer support teams locally and globally
Contribute to process improvements by developing new techniques or automation solutions
Maintain laboratory equipment according to calibration schedules and documentation standards