Senior Engineer, Manufacturing Equipment Engineering

About the Company

At WD, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make the impossible possible. WD provides HDDs and storage platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers, and partners with hyperscale cloud providers and other large organizations to meet growing data storage needs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical expert for HGA (Head Gimbal Assembly) manufacturing equipment and processes, ensuring maximum machine uptime, stability, and optimal throughput to meet production targets.
• Design, develop, and implement hardware enhancements and process control strategies aligned with manufacturing KPIs to improve precision, repeatability, and yield.
• Lead development of Preventative Maintenance (PM) programs and Predictive Maintenance models to forecast component failure and minimize unscheduled downtime.
• Collaborate with automation and software teams to refine machine interfaces (HMI), sensor integration, and real-time monitoring tools tailored to process stability.
• Lead deep-dive root cause analysis for equipment malfunctions and process excursions using structured methodologies (8D, DMAIC, Fishbone) to implement permanent corrective actions.
• Analyze physical defect data and failure modes to identify relationships between equipment parameters (pressure, temperature, force) and product quality, and mitigate recurring issues.
• Lead cross-functional equipment upgrade projects from conception through installation and qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), ensuring seamless integration into production lines.
• Develop and execute data-driven process improvements to reduce scrap, optimize cycle times, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for manufacturing assets.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechatronics, Computer, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related; 2+ years of experience in manufacturing process engineering, equipment maintenance, or automation systems; strong knowledge of control systems and PLC logic (e.g., Beckhoff, Siemens, Allen Bradley); proficiency in programming for data-driven engineering (Python, C++, MATLAB/Simulink); experience with Statistical Process Control (SPC) and failure analysis methodologies (DOE, FMEA, Six Sigma); hands-on experience with Industrial IoT (IIoT), sensor integration, or machine-to-cloud data pipelines; ability to manage and query databases (SQL/NoSQL) and utilize data visualization tools (Spotfire, Tableau, Power BI).
• Preferred: Previous experience in high-precision electronics manufacturing (HDD/HGA); familiarity with Robotics (ROS 2), Computer Vision for defect detection, or AI-driven predictive maintenance; proactive continuous improvement (Kaizen) mindset and self-driven learning in smart-factory technologies.

Skills

• Root cause analysis (8D, 5-Whys), project lifecycle leadership from procurement through mass production, technical documentation (SOPs, maintenance manuals), and strong cross-functional communication.

Additional Information

WD is committed to diversity and inclusion and to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact jobs.accommodations@wdc.com. WD will never request payment as a condition for applying or receiving an offer.