Western Digital
Staff Engineer, Wafer Metrology
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Staff Engineer, Wafer Metrology
role at
Western Digital
Company Overview Western Digital is a company of problem solvers, with a technology portfolio spanning HDDs, platforms, and professional brands. Their focus includes data centers, hyperscale cloud providers, and the AI era, powering a brighter, smarter future.
Job Description ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work independently with minimal supervision in the Manufacturing Metrology group to
Develop, document, optimize, and sustain automated inspection recipes and process control solutions
Develop and refine technical methods/processes to identify root causes of operational issues, process inefficiencies, and measurement deviations.
Establish accurate baseline measurements and qualification of metrology solutions by collaborating with cross‑functional teams across the fab
Deploy robust metrology system calibration and correlation strategies
Identify and resolve equipment issues, collaborating with equipment engineering teams and tool vendors to ensure optimal tool performance.
Cross‑train within Metrology Engineering to ensure seamless support coverage across teams.
Partner with engineering and quality teams to analyze real‑time metrology data, identify process deviations, and implement automated corrective strategies to improve yield and reduce cycle time.
Summarize, document, and present results to technical and executive audiences to drive data‑driven improvements.
Communicate effectively with both management and shop floor.
Display comfort and skill in presenting issues/findings.
Qualifications Required:
B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, engineering (chemical, mechanical, electrical), material science
Minimum of 3‑6 years of work experience depending on education
Programming/scripting experience in any of SQL, Python, Matlab, JSL, C#
Strong detail‑oriented work habits.
Ability to complete projects on schedule.
Preferred:
Hands‑on experience with equipment, wafers, clean room and wafer fabrication/processing in a manufacturing environment.
Experience with spectra analysis and film stack modeling strongly preferred: visible light reflectometry, spectroscopic ellipsometry, x‑ray fluorescence.
Experience with application of atomic force microscopy in a production environment preferred.
Knowledge of tunnelling electron microscopy including practical experience with sample preparation, extraction/handling, and imaging.
Skills:
Excellent skills in problem solving, data analysis, statistics, and both written and oral communications.
Practical understanding of electronics and mechatronics as applied to modern industrial measurement tools.
EEO Statement Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status, physical or mental disability, 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.
Accommodation Statement Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com with your accommodation request, including the job title and requisition number.
Application Deadline Anticipated application deadline:
03/19/26 , subject to earlier closure if the position is filled.
Compensation & Benefits Details
An employee’s pay position may be based on education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, geographic location, shift, internal and external equity, and business needs.
The salary range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role. The range may be modified in the future.
Eligible for overtime pay if non‑exempt; shift differential pay may apply.
Eligible for bonuses under Western Digital’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or Sales Incentive Plan (“SIP”), and may be eligible for the annual Long‑Term Incentive (LTI) program.
Benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life, accident and disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, employee assistance, supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, tuition reimbursement, transit, Applause Program, employee stock purchase plan, and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.
Note: Compensation is determined at the Company’s discretion and is subject to change.
Notice To Candidates Western Digital and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Report any such requests immediately to the Ethics Helpline or compliance@wdc.com.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Manufacturing
Computer Hardware Manufacturing, Computers and Electronics Manufacturing, and Semiconductor Manufacturing
Location & Salary San Jose, CA $110,400.00–$159,600.00
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Staff Engineer, Wafer Metrology
role at
Western Digital
Company Overview Western Digital is a company of problem solvers, with a technology portfolio spanning HDDs, platforms, and professional brands. Their focus includes data centers, hyperscale cloud providers, and the AI era, powering a brighter, smarter future.
Job Description ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work independently with minimal supervision in the Manufacturing Metrology group to
Develop, document, optimize, and sustain automated inspection recipes and process control solutions
Develop and refine technical methods/processes to identify root causes of operational issues, process inefficiencies, and measurement deviations.
Establish accurate baseline measurements and qualification of metrology solutions by collaborating with cross‑functional teams across the fab
Deploy robust metrology system calibration and correlation strategies
Identify and resolve equipment issues, collaborating with equipment engineering teams and tool vendors to ensure optimal tool performance.
Cross‑train within Metrology Engineering to ensure seamless support coverage across teams.
Partner with engineering and quality teams to analyze real‑time metrology data, identify process deviations, and implement automated corrective strategies to improve yield and reduce cycle time.
Summarize, document, and present results to technical and executive audiences to drive data‑driven improvements.
Communicate effectively with both management and shop floor.
Display comfort and skill in presenting issues/findings.
Qualifications Required:
B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, engineering (chemical, mechanical, electrical), material science
Minimum of 3‑6 years of work experience depending on education
Programming/scripting experience in any of SQL, Python, Matlab, JSL, C#
Strong detail‑oriented work habits.
Ability to complete projects on schedule.
Preferred:
Hands‑on experience with equipment, wafers, clean room and wafer fabrication/processing in a manufacturing environment.
Experience with spectra analysis and film stack modeling strongly preferred: visible light reflectometry, spectroscopic ellipsometry, x‑ray fluorescence.
Experience with application of atomic force microscopy in a production environment preferred.
Knowledge of tunnelling electron microscopy including practical experience with sample preparation, extraction/handling, and imaging.
Skills:
Excellent skills in problem solving, data analysis, statistics, and both written and oral communications.
Practical understanding of electronics and mechatronics as applied to modern industrial measurement tools.
EEO Statement Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status, physical or mental disability, 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.
Accommodation Statement Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com with your accommodation request, including the job title and requisition number.
Application Deadline Anticipated application deadline:
03/19/26 , subject to earlier closure if the position is filled.
Compensation & Benefits Details
An employee’s pay position may be based on education, qualifications, experience, skills, performance, geographic location, shift, internal and external equity, and business needs.
The salary range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role. The range may be modified in the future.
Eligible for overtime pay if non‑exempt; shift differential pay may apply.
Eligible for bonuses under Western Digital’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or Sales Incentive Plan (“SIP”), and may be eligible for the annual Long‑Term Incentive (LTI) program.
Benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life, accident and disability insurance, flexible spending and health savings accounts, employee assistance, supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, tuition reimbursement, transit, Applause Program, employee stock purchase plan, and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.
Note: Compensation is determined at the Company’s discretion and is subject to change.
Notice To Candidates Western Digital and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Report any such requests immediately to the Ethics Helpline or compliance@wdc.com.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Manufacturing
Computer Hardware Manufacturing, Computers and Electronics Manufacturing, and Semiconductor Manufacturing
Location & Salary San Jose, CA $110,400.00–$159,600.00
#J-18808-Ljbffr