Lifetime & Reliability Test and Characterization Engineer

About the Company

At WD, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology. WD develops HDD technologies and platforms under Western Digital®, WD® and WD_BLACK™, supporting data centers, hyperscale cloud providers and professional and consumer markets. WD is involved in next-generation hard disk drive (HDD) technology including Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR).

About the Role

As a Lifetime & Reliability Test and Characterization Engineer you will support development of next-generation HDD technology (HAMR) through component-level lifetime, reliability and tribological testing and physical characterization. The role requires hands-on operation of advanced electrical and tribology testers, data analysis, and directing a team of technicians and operators to deliver test programs at the Thailand head operations site.

Responsibilities

• Implement, develop and operate HDD and HAMR component head and media testing, including Blade HDD-like testing in environmental chambers.
• Operate and develop tribometers, electrical test systems and tribology-related testers to characterize mechanical, electrical and magnetic performance, reliability and lifetime of head designs and media pairings.
• Perform basic scripting and tester setup to enable required testing and desired data output.
• Analyse test and physical characterization data with statistical software and signal analysis; produce concise technical reports and present results to worldwide teams.
• Coach and direct technicians and operators to perform required testing, data analysis and reporting on a 24-7 operating model.
• Work closely with onsite metrology and materials characterization labs to design post-test analyses and derive conclusions that influence design decisions.
• Lead tester statistical process control and preventative maintenance activities per IMS/ISO standards.
• Assist with ad-hoc departmental duties, attend conferences, offsite meetings and interlocks which may be overseas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Tribology Engineering, Physics or related field.
• Master’s in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Tribology Engineering, Physics or related field.
• Experience in HDD business, R&D, industry or academic research, testing, characterization or related field.
• Experience operating testing equipment, tribometers and electrical test systems.
• Skilled in MS Office and generally computer literate.
• Skilled in managing tests, projects and timelines.
• High-to-fluent level of English proficiency (spoken/reading/written).

Skills

• Tester operation and development for tribology and reliability testing.
• Basic scripting to automate tester setup and data output.
• Statistical analysis, signal analysis and technical reporting.
• Lead and coach technicians/operators; work across worldwide teams.
• Collaborate with metrology and materials characterization groups.
• Manage SPC and preventative maintenance per IMS/ISO standards.

Additional Information

WD is committed to diversity and an inclusive environment. WD offers opportunities to applicants with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations; to request accommodations contact jobs.accommodations@wdc.com with the job title and a description of the requested accommodation.

Notice to Candidates: WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying or receiving an offer. If you encounter such requests, report immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email compliance@wdc.com.