Principal Manufacturing Engineer, HDD Test & Production

Western Digital Corp.; Bayan Lepas; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Digital Corp. in Penang is seeking a Principal Engineer in Manufacturing Engineering to lead new product transfers and DET measurements from NPI/Development.

You will coordinate test module transfers from US/China and ensure smooth high-volume manufacturing for mature products. You'll benchmark processes, optimize test methods, and drive data-driven decisions across HDD components, with strong collaboration across NPI, R&D, and production teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical & Electronic / Mechanical Engineering or Physics.
• Minimum 4–5 years of experience in product, process or testing in manufacturing.
• Knowledge in magnetic recording.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with NPI & R&D Sputter or Sputter Process on new product line volume ramp activity.
• Monitor DET results closely and advise sputter process for tuning whenever necessary.
• Understand methodology of new test module and buy off prior to release for production use.
• Responsible for benchmarking on a continuous basis among internal and external disk and be involved in product comparison.
• Resource and tester capacity planning in supporting production SMO activities.
• Responsible for GR&R and tester correlation.
• Work with head division team on HGA requirements to plan for continuous supply
• Prepare and present EVT package for SMO to get HDD team agreement for drive build
• Frequent drive build data analysis as well as internal component data vs drive data correlation analysis to provide valuable opinion to the team on how to improve product performance and component predictability
• Compile and propose DET specification to Product & Sputter group based on product requirements and process capabilities during EEN/FEN/DPPM until mass production.
• Derive and improvise appropriate test process and methodology for production monitoring.
• Guide and coach a group of technicians to perform daily task.
• Support Guzik testing for internal process evaluation.
• Understand and accept responsibility to perform all relevant jobs safely
• Follow safety and health rules

Skills

Gauge study

Statistical/correlation analysis

C++

Python

Excel macro

Education

Electrical & Electronic / Mechanical Engineering or Physics

Tools

C++

Python

Excel macro

Job description

Western Digital Corp. in Penang is seeking a Principal Engineer in Manufacturing Engineering to lead new product transfers and DET measurements from NPI/Development.

You will coordinate test module transfers from US/China and ensure smooth high-volume manufacturing for mature products. You'll benchmark processes, optimize test methods, and drive data-driven decisions across HDD components, with strong collaboration across NPI, R&D, and production teams.