The WD R&D center in Fremont, CA is a world-class research laboratory, wafer fab and manufacturing center at the intersection of San Francisco Bay and Silicon Valley. WD labs are at the forefront of AI-infrastructure R&D, where activities focus on all aspects of information-storage technology. We are inviting applications for a position in optical-device-fabrication on the HAMR-fabrication team, where our mission is to continue the advance of Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR). This is an opportunity to work where magnetic, optical and plasmonic devices converge on a nanoscale. We have the capabilities of a fully-functional cleanroom with state-of-the-art equipment and a 24/7 support staff.

Responsibilities

Work as a Research Scientist and Engineer in optical-device-fabrication at WD’s wafer fab in Fremont, CA. Candidate will be responsible for development and integration of new processes for fabrication of HAMR devices. Job requires interfacing with engineers and scientists in process, characterization and design groups.

• PhD in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or Physics
• Minimum of four-years experience in semiconductor, optical/plasmonic and/or magnetic device fabrication
• Expertise in wafer processes such as lithography, wet etching, ion milling, reactive etching, thin films and CMP
• Exposure to wafer-level characterization such as SEM, FIB, TEM, AFM and ellipsometry is desirable
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Expertise in JMP or equivalent data analysis software
• Candidate must be innovative, detail-oriented and have strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent teamwork and people skills are required.

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Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 06-07-2026 (3 months from posting), although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.

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.

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