Senior Technologist - Advanced Reader Design

Summary

Join Western Digital as a Sr. Technologist and lead the development of next-generation reader designs for HDD recording heads. You will collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, develop design concepts, conduct analyses, and explore novel read sensor technologies. This role requires a Ph.D. in a relevant field and 10+ years of experience in magnetic recording head development. A deep understanding of magnetic read head design, recording physics, and hard disk drive technology is essential. Western Digital offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, health insurance, life and disability insurance, retirement benefits, and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

• Ph.D degree in physics, materials science, electrical engineering, or related fields
• 10 or more years of experience in magnetic recording head development
• Deep understanding of magnetic read head design, recording physics, and hard disk drive technology
• In-depth knowledge in magnetic simulation, wafer fabrication process, and device characterization
• Proficient in design of experiments, mathematical and statistical data analysis
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to plan and lead multidisciplinary technical projects

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional engineering teams to develop and deliver next generation read head designs for magnetic recording heads
• Develop design concepts, initiate and plan DOEs, conduct detailed characterization and analysis and generate clear understanding and recommendation
• Explore and recommend novel read sensor technology, provide long term roadmap to guide reader development and support HDD areal density growth through collaboration within company and with outside academia institutions

Benefits

• 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 Applause Program
• Employee stock purchase plan
• The Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan
• 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
• RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digital’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards