Principal Engineer, Resist Strip and Liftoff Process

Western Digital•Fremont, CA

About The Position

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®, WD_BLACK™, and SanDisk® Professional brands. 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s with 5 years or Master’s with 3 years of experience in related engineering field, Ph.D preferred.
2-3 years of direct hands-on experience of the techniques and equipment used in resist stripping and liftoff processes.
Strong working knowledge of operating and maintaining resist strip and liftoff tools and related equipment is a must.
The ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment is crucial.
Meticulous attention to detail is important to ensure precise and accurate process execution.
Demonstrated ability to work in a cleanroom environment wearing full coverall garments for extended periods.
Excellent communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, and statistical analysis tools like JMP.

Responsibilities

Manufacturing engineer owner of wet processes (photoresist strip, lift off and chemical etch) in magnetic recording head wafer fabrication.
Responsible for statistical process control (SPC) of process and chemistry parameters (etch rates, stripping rates, pressure, temperature, pH, chemical concentration, etc.).
Responsible for optimizing process performance (ensure complete and uniform removal resist/metal/dielectric materials), maintain process margin.
Conduct failure analysis for process/tool deviations that result in defects and affect wafer quality.
Participate in the introduction of new processes/materials into manufacturing and take ownership to maintain these under good control and to achieve maturity.
Participate on the introduction and qualification of new Wet process equipment for capacity improvement or technology advancement.

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
other voluntary benefit programs such as 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 Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan