Recording Head Mechanical Process Development - Staff Engineer (Onsite

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Location:

Bloomington, MN, US

Posting Date:
Aug 3, 2026

Job

Do you like working with technology that pushes the limits of what a whole industry can do? There’s a reason Seagate is the largest supplier of storage solutions in the world. Our technology and products are second to none.

Seagate is looking for a high-quality individual to developinnovativeprocesses andequipmentfor precision lapping of recording heads, managing projects from inception through transfer to Seagate’s Thailand-based volume manufacturing site.

Recording heads (sliders) are a critical component in magnetic hard disc drives. Seagate slider factories manufacture millions of sliders every day. This team supports the research and development that define future company success.

The Slider Lapping Development group located in Bloomington, MN identifies and develops improvements in recording head row bar lapping processes and equipment that meet future product roadmap requirements. More specifically, the final reader and writer heights as well as surface flatness and air bearing surface finish.

Our team consists of experts in mechanical engineering, materials, physics, robotics, electronic sensors, and process control algorithms – this position encourages daily cross-functional team discussions.

Architect, design, and develop advanced row bar lapping processes and equipment that provide sub-nanometer dimensional control and angstrom level surface finishes.

Lead high-precision process development through root cause determination, rapid experimentation, process learning, and concept validation using comprehensive data analysis across multiple process areas.

Work with internal equipment teams and external suppliers to develop, build, and refine first-of-kind tools from initial concept through feasibility, prototype validation, integration, and pre-production readiness.

Collaborate with controls, software, vision, automation, inspection, and process-control engineers to integrate robust capability into tool designs and production-ready systems.

Partner with product and recording head development teams to understand critical requirements, KPIVs, and upstream/downstream process interactions, then convert them into clear equipment, process, and system specifications.

Deliver validated solutions, engineering documentation, and transfer packages that enable Thailand-based and other global teams to replicate, scale, optimize, and sustain process capability in volume manufacturing.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Excellentability to work in a cross-functional, cross-cultural team environment balanced with independent judgment and decision-making

Organized and able to efficiently manage multiple projects

Ability to supervise the activities of others (this is not a people management role)

Ability to understand basic engineering principles behind the manufacturing processes and associated software applications

High precision process and equipment design, development, qualification, and manufacturing

Using modeling, simulation, statistical analysis, or numerical tools such as COMSOL, ANSYS, MATLAB, Python, or JMP to support mechanical process development, equipment design, or process optimization is desired

Lapping/polishing in the semiconductor or HDD industry or equipment development/design is strongly desired

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and 8+ years of experience, or Master’s degree in the same and 6+ years of experience, or PHD and 3+ years of experience or equivalent education and experience

Salary: The estimated base salary range for this position is: $ - $. The individual salary is based on work location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education and training.

Benefits:

• eligibility discretionary bonus
• medical
• dental
• vision and life insurance
• short-and long-term disability
• 401(k)
• employee stock purchase plan
• health savings account
• dependent care and healthcare spending accounts

Seagate also offers…