Senior Staff Process Development Engineer - Precision Assembly

About the Company

The Head Gimbal Assembly (HGA) Process Development team is responsible for early stage HGA process invention, feasibility, and KPIV understanding to enable future product requirements. The team builds deep, physics based understanding of HGA processes, focusing on identifying critical KPIVs, defining their relationships to KPOVs, and developing validated, tool ready process concepts. Working in close partnership with HGA/TGA design and product teams, the group ensures strong alignment to next generation architecture and performance needs, while proactively shaping process capability and design tradeoffs. The role emphasizes mechanical engineering–driven process development, with strong focus on process physics, materials behavior, and reliability, supported by analytical tools such as finite element analysis (FEA) to guide concept development and de risk emerging technologies.

Responsibilities

• Architect next generation slider-attach (micro-meter precision assembly machine) and adhesive dispense (nano-liter precision dispense) processes, defining process concepts, materials strategies, and integration schemes to meet future HGA performance requirements.
• Lead early stage process invention, machine design, control system and feasibility through rapid experimentation, bench prototyping, and concept down selection based on technical merit and scaling risk.
• Develop deep physics based understanding of adhesive behavior and slider attach mechanics, including bondline control, wetting/spread dynamics, cure effects, and thermo mechanical interactions.
• Identify and quantify critical KPIVs and their relationships to KPOVs (CTQs), building transfer functions, interaction maps, and process limits to guide design and downstream optimization.
• Define and co-develop novel dispense, placement, and curing tool concepts, including automation, vision alignment, and process control strategies needed for scalable implementation.
• Partner closely with advanced HGA/TGA design and materials teams to influence product architecture, adhesive selection, and attach schemes based on process capability and risk.
• Collaborate with global teams, including U.S.-based design and engineering partners, requiring flexibility to support cross time zone engagement, including periodic evening meetings.
• Deliver M1 ready process solutions, including validated concepts, quantified KPIV/KPOV relationships, and clear scaling/optimization guidance for handoff to integration teams.

Qualifications

• Background in Hard Disk Drive manufacturing or precision assembly processes is an advantage.
• Experience in process development, materials, or manufacturing engineering, with exposure to adhesives, dispense processes, or cleaning technologies considered a plus.
• 12+ years demonstrated hands-on expertise in the design and development of micro-precision assembly equipment, incorporating multi-axis motion systems and integrated sensor technologies.
• Basic understanding of data analysis, statistics, or structured problem-solving methods (e.g., DOE, Six Sigma concepts).
• Familiarity with mechanical behavior, materials interaction, or reliability considerations in assembly processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to learn quickly and apply engineering principles to new challenges.
• Good communication skills in English (written and spoken), capable of working effectively with global and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration, with willingness to learn, take initiative, and grow into a technical leadership role.

Benefits

• Teparuk site with on-site 24/7 canteen and coffee shop.
• On-site running track, gymnasium and fitness center, and sports facilities (volleyball, basketball, table tennis, badminton, football).
• Company activities including music, dance, aerobic classes, on-site festivals, celebrations, and opportunities to give back to the local community.
• Employee Resource Groups such as Seagate Women in Leadership Network (SWLN), Seagate PRIDE: Thailand chapter, and parents and caregivers' group.

Additional Information

Location: Teparuk, Thailand. Home to over 4,000 employees specializing in producing nano-recording heads.