Equipment Principal Engineer

  • Full-time
  • Job Type (exemption status): Exempt position - Please see related compensation & benefits details below
  • Salary Range: 112,000.00-146,000.00
  • Business Function: Equipment Engineering
  • Work Location: San Jose Great Oaks Headquarters--LOC_WDT_USCA23

Company Description

At Western Digital, 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, Western Digital 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.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

Job Description

The Principal Equipment Engineer must have strong background and experience with equipment processing Atomic Layer deposition equipment in a manufacturing environment.  The successful candidate will be able to work with minimal supervision, take initiative and collaborate effectively.  They are responsible for the specification, project management, design review and qualification testing of the new tools. Further, they work closely with Process Engineering, Maintenance, vendors, and other teams to define, improve, and monitor equipment reliability, throughput, and process capability.  They define, deploy, monitor, and improve the Preventive Maintenance specifications, SPC on tool parameters, bill of material and spare parts requirement.  They review, analyze, and provide root cause analysis and effective corrective actions.  Being the in-house technical equipment expert, they are hands-on technical individuals with strong troubleshooting skills to help bring the tool up efficiently and effectively upon down-tool escalation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Take ownership of the new equipment specification, technical negotiation with vendors, design and documentation review, tool installation, and qualification testing and documentation. Ensure project is on schedule, and at the same time deliver with the highest quality by proactively identifying and correcting capability, reliability, and Maintenance issues early on. Generate accurate and detailed documentation for facility, maintenance, stores, and process owners.
  • Lead or be an active team member to drive continuous improvement programs to improve equipment performance and reliability, maximize Mean Productive Time Between Failure (MTBF), and Operational Uptime (AOU), minimize Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) and OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiency).
  • Provide accurate and detailed documentation as well as training in basic and advanced maintenance and troubleshooting skills along with established best maintenance and safe practices. Practice gage R&R on critical equipment and consumable related measurements. Monitor and follow through for continuous improvement opportunities across all shifts.
  • Review and evaluate tool and spare parts.
  • Review, analyze and investigate equipment defects and provide sound root cause analysis and timely effective corrective actions.
  • Monitor tool alarm logs regularly and follow through for proactive actions and continuous improvement opportunities. Provide timely response, proposed timeline, and sound actions for continuous improvement opportunities.
  • Drive tool matching and yield improvement through design and engineering improvements.
  • Take an active and leading role in resolving down tools. Observe for learning and improvement opportunities across all functions. Follow through with the improvement actions.
  • Keep track and learn the applicable new equipment and process technologies for potential wafer fab applications and implementations.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

  • Highly motivated individual who has at least 4 years’ experience with a B.S. or at least 4 years’ experience with an M.S. degree years and a successful track record in equipment sustaining experience.
  • Degrees must be in electrical, mechanical, or related Engineering or physical science.
  • Required experiences include in-depth understanding and practice of equipment design and testing (or sustaining), operations, documentation, maintenance, as well as good understanding of wafer level processes and cleanroom requirements.
  • Must have excellent mechanical and electrical aptitude.
  • Min 3 Years’ Experience in Vacuum Technologies.
  • Ability to read electrical schematic diagrams and assembly drawings.
  • Understanding of failure mechanisms, ability to isolate determine root cause and repair.
  • Proficient in MS Windows Software (Word/Excel/Power Point/Outlook) & Forum Notes.
  • Effective team player with proven relationship building & communication skills, including cross-functionally with Maintenance, Manufacturing, Engineering, Peers, Management, Customers, and Suppliers.

SKILLS

  • Senior Level equipment centric skills
  • Basic understanding of process flow, SPC and six sigma methodology.
  • Robust background in electronics and mechanical troubleshooting and vacuum theory.
  • Strong experience utilizing troubleshooting equipment, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and specialized alignment tooling etc.
  • Team player able to negotiate cross functional disciplines.
  • Leadership qualities and project management skills.
  • Must have Atomic Layer Deposition experience.
  • Advantage with Plasma enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition experience.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate 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 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 Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

#LI-RR1

Compensation & Benefits Details

  • An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
  • The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York.  This range may be modified in the future.
  • You will be eligible to participate in Western Digital’s Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan, which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance.  Depending on your role and your performance, you may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digital’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
  • We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Virgin Pulse Program; the Applause Program, employee stock purchase plan, and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.
  • Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
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