Principal Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 21, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 21, 2026. Western Digital scores B on the Alion truth index.
WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.
As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in.
We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.
This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.
We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.
Join us and let’s shape the future of data.
- This is an individual contributor role focused on new product transfers, specifically handling DET measurements from NPI and Development.
- New test module transfer from US and China.
- Ensure smooth operation for high volume manufacturing for all mature products
- Internal component data and HDD data correlation and analysis.
- Competitor analysis and FA.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Regular
- Liaise with NPI & R&D Sputter or Sputter Process on new product line volume ramp activity.
- Monitor DET results closely and advise sputter process for tuning whenever necessary.
- Understand methodology of new test module and buy off prior to release for production use.
- Responsible for benchmarking on a continuous basis among internal and external disk and be involved in product comparison.
- Resource and tester capacity planning in supporting production SMO activities.
- Responsible for GR&R and tester correlation.
- Work with head division team on HGA requirements to plan for continuous supply
- Prepare and present EVT package for SMO to get HDD team agreement for drive build
- Frequent drive build data analysis as well as internal component data vs drive data correlation analysis to provide valuable opinion to the team on how to improve product performance and component predictability
- Compile and propose DET specification to Product & Sputter group based on product requirements and process capabilities during EEN/FEN/DPPM until mass production.
- Derive and improvise appropriate test process and methodology for production monitoring
- Guide and coach a group of technicians to perform daily task.
- Support Guzik testing for internal process evaluation.
- Understand and accept responsibility to perform all relevant jobs safely
- Follow safety and health rules
Irregular
- Reference generation and head screening for new program.
- Failure analysis for magnetic recording related issue.
- Product benchmarking and comparison.
- Non-sputter product qualification and comparison
REQUIRED:
- Degree in Electrical & Electronic / Mechanical Engineering or Physics.
PREFERRED:
- Minimum 4 to 5 years of experience in product, process or testing in manufacturing environment of Slider-HGA/Media/HDD
- Knowledge in magnetic recording
- Knowledge in component vs HDD correlation analysis
SKILLS
- Knowledge of gauge study and statistical/correlation analysis will be an advantage.
- Experience in C++, Python or Excel macro will be an added advantage.
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