Staff Engineer, Hardware Development Engineering (Tribology Characterization and Test Development) at Western Digital

Summary of the Role:

As a Staff Engineer in the Spacing Control and Integration group, you will support hard disk drive development by executing and designing tests to evaluate spacing, tribology, and reliability. You will analyze data, generate reports, and lead technicians while overseeing the operation of advanced characterization and metrology tools. This role requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to collaborate across teams and drive improvements through test innovation and data automation.

Job Responsibilities and Role Accountabilities:

• Plan and execute tests and experiments to evaluate the performance of new HDD designs using cutting-edge spacing characterization, tribology, and metrology tools.
• Apply statistical analysis to interpret experimental data and derive meaningful insights.
• Generate comprehensive reports summarizing test results and findings.
• Provide recommendations for design improvements based on experimental data.
• Develop automation scripts to streamline data processing and report generation.
• Lead projects and tests to ensure completion within committed timelines.
• Oversee daily tester operations, ensuring proper functionality, and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
• Develop and refine test methodologies to analyze and characterize unique and evolving HDD designs.
• Identify and resolve system-related challenges and limitations.
• Collaborate with global counterparts in planning and executing spacing characterization initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Work Experience:

• Master’s degree in Applied Physics, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, or any related field, with atleast 3 years of professional experience in tribology, physical characterization, and metrology. OR
• Master’s degree in any related field with a strong understanding of Physics or Materials Science fundamentals, 3 of professional experience in tribology, physical characterization, and metrology. OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, or any related field, with atleast 5 years of professional experience in tribology, physical characterization, and metrology.
• Industry exposure in the Semiconductor or Electronics manufacturing is highly preferred.

Tools, System, Application and Technology Requirements:

• Proficiency in any programming language particularly Python.
• Intermediate skills in statistical tools particularly JMP and Minitab.
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Application particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Power BI.

Skills and Competency Requirements:

• Strong understanding of electronics, physics, materials, and magnetic theory fundamentals.
• Strong problem-solving, technical writing, and oral communication skills.
• Direct experience in HDD or HGA-disk tribology is highly preferred.
• Direct experience in HDD / magnetic head test engineering is highly preferred.
• Direct experience in signal processing and software/firmware development is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Lab View or instrument integration and control is highly preferred.
• Extensive experience working in science or experimental laboratories is highly desirable.
• Demonstrates understanding of physics, materials science, electronics, and fundamentals of magnetic theory.
• Strong programming skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, technical writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask effectively and work collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment.
• Ability to work independently and consistently deliver results with minimal supervision.

Other Requirements:

• Open to employment opportunities in Binan City, Laguna, CALABARZON, Philippines.
• Open to an onsite work arrangement.
• Open to a dayshift work schedule.

Important Reminders:

• We provide free medical examination.
• We do not collect any original requirements.
• We do not collect any fees at any stage of the hiring process.

WD 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.

WD 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.

Notice To Candidates:

Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email compliance@wdc.com.

At WD, 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, WD 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®, and WD_BLACK™.

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, WD is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.