Hardware Development Engineer (Wafer Optical Metrology)

Western Digital • Fremont, CA

3h • $102,500 - $136,600 • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated Wafer Optical Metrology Engineer to support advanced thinfilm magnetic read/write head manufacturing and process control initiatives. The engineer will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining optical metrology methodologies used in lithography and pattern alignment processes for wafer manufacturing. This role focuses on improving measurement robustness, accuracy, throughput, tool performance, process capability, and yield through data-driven analysis and collaboration with process integration, lithography, and manufacturing teams.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Physics, Optics, Engineering (chemical, mechanical, electrical), or Material Science.
• 0-3 years of relevant work experience (internships, co-ops, or academic research experience considered).
• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis techniques.
• Detail-oriented work habits with a willingness to learn and grow.
• Ability to manage assignments and meet deadlines with appropriate guidance.
• Willingness to work hands-on with equipment and wafers in a clean room. environment; prior clean room or wafer fabrication/processing experience is a plus.

Nice To Haves

• Understanding of optical overlay, alignment, critical dimension (CD), and defect metrology.
• Experience working in high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Programming/scripting experience in Python, SQL, or JMP.

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and maintain optical metrology recipes and measurement strategies for semiconductor wafer manufacturing processes.
• Analyze parametric data trends, identify process excursions, and implement corrective actions in collaboration with process, integration, and yield engineering teams.
• Perform statistical analysis and process capability studies (SPC, Cp/Cpk, regression analysis, DOE).
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for precision, throughput, and automation.
• Develop scripts and data analysis tools using Python, JMP, or similar platforms.
• Generate technical reports, presentations, and documentation for engineering reviews.
• Support technology transfers and new process development for advanced products.
• Crosstrain within Metrology Engineering to build broad technical competence and provide support coverage across teams.

Benefits

• paid vacation time
• paid sick leave
• medical/dental/vision insurance
• life, accident and disability insurance
• tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
• employee assistance program
• supplemental life and AD&D
• legal plan
• pet insurance
• critical illness
• accident and hospital indemnity
• tuition reimbursement
• transit
• the Applause Program
• employee stock purchase plan
• the WD Savings 401(k) Plan
• bonuses under either WD’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or the Sales Incentive Plan (“SIP”)
• annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents
• RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level