Technologist, Quality Assurance Engineering

Western Digital; Kuching; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Digital is seeking a Technologist in Quality Assurance Engineering to lead QA activities at the Sarawak site, collaborating with Substrate Operations and cross‑functional teams to ensure KPI achievement and process control effectiveness. The role also acts as QMR, driving compliance with ISO standards and continuous quality improvements across Johor and Sarawak sites.

The ideal candidate brings 8+ years in Quality/Process Engineering, strong leadership, and hands-on experience with 8D,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Quality, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Science, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in Quality and/or Process Engineering, including at least 3 years in a Quality leadership or management role.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage site Quality organizations across Johor and Sarawak to support Substrate Operations in achieving Quality KPIs.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Media, and cross-functional teams to drive quality improvement, reduce variation, and enhance outgoing product quality while meeting cost objectives.
• Review and approve quality-related process controls and improvement plans in alignment with company policies.
• Authorize extensions for Engineering Change Requests (ECR/ECN) when technically and quality justified.
• Review and reject inadequate 8D reports that do not meet required problem-solving methodology.
• Review and reject document approvals that do not comply with quality or ISO management system requirements.
• Exercise authority to stop shipments that do not meet defined quality standards.
• Ensure effective resource planning, talent development, and training for the Quality teams across both sites.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, customer, and corporate quality requirements.
• Consolidate, summarize, and report Substrate quality performance to Upper Management at defined intervals.
• Act as a Crisis Management Team (CMT) member to ensure safe, stable, and compliant site operations.
• Support internal audits, external certifications, and customer (Media or downstream) audits.
• Perform other duties or projects as assigned by management.

Skills

Leadership

Quality management

8D problem solving

Statistical tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Quality/Engineering/Science

Tools

ISO 9001

ISO 14001

ISO 45001

ISO 22301

RBA standards

SPC

FMEA

Six Sigma

Job description

Technologist, Quality Assurance Engineering

• Full-time
• Job Type (exemption status): Exempt position - Please see related compensation & benefits details below
• Business Function: Quality Assurance Engineering
• Work Location: Sarawak Kuching Office--LOC_HGST_MYS1

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.

As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in.

We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.

This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.

We’re looking for peoplewho want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

Join us and let’s shape the future of data.

The Senior Quality Manager, Quality Assurance Engineering, is responsible for leading and aligning Quality Assurance objectives across the Johor and Sarawak Substrate manufacturing sites. This role ensures effective execution of manufacturing quality strategies, drives continuous quality improvement initiatives, and oversees the effectiveness of quality-related process controls and approvals.

The position also serves as the Quality Management Representative (QMR), ensuring compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and applicable management systems. The role supports product quality, environmental, safety & health (ESH), and business continuity activities, while proactively identifying and mitigating functional business risks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage site Quality organizations across Johor and Sarawak to support Substrate Operations in achieving Quality KPIs.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Media, and cross-functional teams to drive quality improvement, reduce variation, and enhance outgoing product quality while meeting cost objectives.
• Review and approve quality-related process controls and improvement plans in alignment with company policies.
• Authorize extensions for Engineering Change Requests (ECR/ECN) when technically and quality justified.
• Review and reject inadequate 8D reports that do not meet required problem-solving methodology.
• Review and reject document approvals that do not comply with quality or ISO management system requirements.
• Exercise authority to stop shipments that do not meet defined quality standards.
• Ensure effective resource planning, talent development, and training for the Quality teams across both sites.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, customer, and corporate quality requirements.
• Consolidate, summarize, and report Substrate quality performance to Upper Management at defined intervals.
• Act as a Crisis Management Team (CMT) member to ensure safe, stable, and compliant site operations.
• Support internal audits, external certifications, and customer (Media or downstream) audits.
• Perform other duties or projects as assigned by management.

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Quality, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Science, or a related discipline.

PREFERRED:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in Quality and/or Process Engineering, including at least 3 years in a Quality leadership or management role.

SKILLS:

• Strong leadership experience managing Quality or Process Engineering teams in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in supplier or contract manufacturer quality management and qualification activities.
• Hands-on expertise in corrective action management and structured problem-solving (8D).
• Working knowledge or formal training in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22301, RBA standards, SPC, FMEA, Six Sigma, statistical tools, and quality methodologies is an advantage.

WD 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.

WD 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.