Principal Engineer, Process Integration

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Integrate new wafer technologies and read/write head designs into new HDD products, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
2. Lead the introduction and qualification of new wafer products, and transfer to manufacturing according to product schedule, while maintaining strict quality standards.
3. Responsible for building product qualification wafers per schedule according to product roadmap, and creating comprehensive wafer data packages for analysis and documentation.
4. Demonstrate strong communication skills and work with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of new technologies and processes.
5. Develop and implement process improvements to enhance wafer yield, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
6. Conduct failure analysis on wafer products and implement corrective actions to address any identified issues.
7. Collaborate with research and development teams to evaluate and incorporate emerging wafer technologies into product designs.
8. Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to wafer production and quality, providing regular reports to management.
9. Participate in technology roadmap planning and contribute to long-term strategic initiatives for wafer development.
10. Ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and company policies throughout all wafer-related processes.
11. Mentor and train junior engineers and team members on wafer technologies and best practices.
12. Stay current with industry trends and advancements in wafer technology through continuous learning and professional development.

Qualifications

Required:

1. Education: MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or Physics required.
2. Semiconductor wafer process experience.
3. Technical Knowledge: In-depth understanding of semiconductor wafer processes and integration techniques.
4. Analytical Skills: Proficiency in data analysis using tools such as JMP and SQL/Python.
5. Project Management: Demonstrated ability to lead and manage complex technical projects.
6. Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical information to diverse audiences.
7. Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional team settings.
8. Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues.
9. Software Proficiency: Experience with semiconductor manufacturing software and tools.
10. Quality Control: Familiarity with quality assurance processes and standards in semiconductor manufacturing.
11. Leadership: Ability to mentor and guide junior engineers and team members.
12. Continuous Learning: Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with industry advancements.
13. Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to work, ensuring accuracy in data collection and analysis.
14. Adaptability: Flexibility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Additional Information

WD is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here.

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.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 7/27/26, 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.

#LI-BN1

Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
• The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York.  This range may be modified in the future.
• If your position is non-exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws.  You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.

• You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either WD’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or the Sales Incentive Plan (“SIP”) which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to WD's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including 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; and the WD Savings 401(k) Plan.
• Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

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.