Failure Analysis Manager: Lead HDD Root-Cause & Reliability

pasona singapore pte. ltd.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 34,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Pioneer seeks a highly technical Failure Analysis Manager to lead diagnostics and root-cause investigations for media-level defects. You will guide a team of FA engineers, overseeing lab operations, safety, and equipment maintenance.

This role connects media processes to HDD system performance and drives cross-functional collaboration with process development and quality teams. You will translate complex microscopic and chemical data into actionable summaries for executive leadership, supporting

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years in HDD industry with at least 3 years in leadership or managerial capacity.
• Expertise in 8D and FMEA with root-cause analysis.
• Knowledge of media manufacturing, thin-film deposition, carbon overcoats, and lubricant chemistry.
• Proficient with SEM/EDX, FIB, AFM, XPS, and optical profilometry.
• Understanding HDD channel physics, servo systems, HDI, PMR/HAMR, substrates.
• Experience with JMP, Minitab, or Python for statistics.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of FA engineers and oversee lab operations and safety.
• Conduct deep-dive investigations into media defects and their impact on drive reliability.
• Utilize advanced analytical tools to characterize defects at atomic and magnetic levels.
• Bridge FA findings with Media Process Development and HDD Integration/Customer Quality teams.
• Translate data into executive summaries to drive yield and roadmap improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Root cause analysis

8D

FMEA

Statistical analysis

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Materials Science/Physics/EE

Tools

SEM/EDX

FIB

AFM

XPS

Optical Surface Profilometry

Job description

Pioneer seeks a highly technical Failure Analysis Manager to lead diagnostics and root-cause investigations for media-level defects. You will guide a team of FA engineers, overseeing lab operations, safety, and equipment maintenance.

This role connects media processes to HDD system performance and drives cross-functional collaboration with process development and quality teams. You will translate complex microscopic and chemical data into actionable summaries for executive leadership, supporting