Principal Engineer, Development Engineering
Core
Integration engineer and technical project lead evaluating wafer-level designs and materials performance through back-end slider processing in HAMR recording head manufacturing.
Role type
Principal Engineer, Development Engineering (Materials Characterization & AI/ML)
Builds
Wafer-to-slider BE assessments, technology milestone evaluations, and AI/ML-driven prediction models for slider performance.
Domain
Hard drive manufacturing / Magnetic recording / Semiconductor process engineering
Deliverable
production ML models | product features
Required skills
Wafer-to-slider BE assessment, Technology milestone ownership, Cross-functional coordination, AI/ML initiatives, Process automation
Preferred skills
HDD head manufacturing experience, Magnetic recording expertise, Semiconductor process engineering background
Technologies
AFM, SEM, FIB-TEM, Optical microscopy, WD's ML platform, ISA data automation tools
Responsibilities
Evaluate wafer designs at BE through process mapping, electrical measurements, and surface characterization; Track and drive BE evaluations for multiple technology milestones; Lead bi-weekly WF/BE interlock meetings; Drive projects using machine learning for data-driven prediction of slider performance metrics; Develop scripts for ISA data automation and multi-step query tools
Seniority
Principal, hands-on IC with strategic coordination
