Wafer Failure Analysis Engineer

• Job Type (exemption status):
  Exempt position - Please see related compensation & benefits details below
• Salary Range:
  
  -
• Business Function:
  Hardware Development Engineering
• Work Location:
  
  Fremont Office--_USCA
  13

At WD, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, WD is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that—our technology helped people put a man on the moon and capture the first‑ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, and ™.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest‑growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever‑growing data storage needs of the AI era, WD is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

We are seeking a self-driven and motivated individual to join the Wafer Yield and Failure Analysis team at our Wafer Manufacturing site in the role of Wafer Failure Analysis Engineer
.

The HDD Wafer Manufacturing Engineering group focuses on ramping new recording head designs from the new product stage into high-volume manufacturing (HVM) while achieving high yields and quality. The Wafer Failure Analysis team plays a critical role during both the volume ramp and the mature product sustaining phase. The Wafer Failure Analysis Engineer is responsible for assessing in‑line manufacturing failure modes, containing incidents, and driving root cause analysis with corresponding corrective actions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify failure modes in both wafer and backend processes, assess impact promptly, define containment actions, and drive root cause analysis with corresponding corrective actions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Process Engineering, Development Engineering, Integration, Equipment Engineering, and Manufacturing Operations
• Work in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment with a strong emphasis on meeting supply and quality targets
• Perform statistical analyses to support identification of root causes of failure modes
• Apply 8D (Eight Disciplines) methodology for structured problem solving

REQUIRED:

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Proven ability to excel in cross-functional team environments

SKILLS

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated strength in problem‑solving methodologies

PREFERRED

• Knowledge of, or experience with, semiconductor (or related) fabrication processes
• Experience working in a semiconductor or related manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with Six Sigma methodologies, including 8D and DMAIC
• Experience using AI in an academic setting

Salary Range:

-

WD is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender‑related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, 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…