R&D Failure Analysis Manager

JOB EXPRESS SERVICES PTE. LTD.; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in Singapore is seeking an experienced R&D Failure Analysis Manager. This individual will lead a team, conduct detailed investigations into media defects, and utilize advanced analytical tools for diagnostics. A Master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field, along with 8+ years of experience in the HDD industry, is required. The role offers a competitive salary and benefits including annual leave and bonuses.

Benefits

12 days Annual Leave

AWS

Variable Bonus

Qualifications

• 8+ years in the HDD industry with at least 3 years in leadership roles.
• Expertise in media manufacturing processes, thin-film deposition, and lubricant chemistry.
• Experience with advanced analytical tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor a specialized team of FA engineers.
• Lead investigations into media defects and their reliability impacts.
• Translate complex data into actionable executive summaries.

Skills

Team Leadership

Root Cause Investigation

Advanced Diagnostics

Data Analysis

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

Tools

SEM/EDX

FIB

AFM

XPS

Job description

Overview

Job Title: R&D Failure Analysis Manager (ID1708)

Location: Pioneer, transport pick up Singapore and JB Bukit Indah

Working Hours: Mon to Fri 8:30am – 17:30pm

Salary: $5000 - $8800

Benefit: 12 days Annual Leave, AWS and Variable Bonus

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a specialized team of FA engineers; oversee lab operations, including equipment maintenance and safety protocols.
• Root Cause Investigation: Lead deep-dive investigations into media defects such as protrusions, pits, scratches, lubricant migration, and corrosion including their impact on drive-level reliability.
• Advanced Diagnostics: Oversee the use of high-end analytical tools to characterize defects at the atomic and magnetic levels.
• Cross-Functional Synergy: Partner with Media Process Development teams to correlate FA findings with process variables. Also act as technical bridge between Media teams and HDD Integration/Customer Quality teams.
• Strategic Reporting: Translate complex microscopic and chemical data into actionable executive summaries to drive both media and HDD yield improvement and product roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 8+ years in the HDD industry, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial capacity.
• Demonstrated expertise in 8D, FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and ability to pursue a root cause when initial scans are inconclusive.
• Media Expertise: Knowledge of media manufacturing processes, thin-film deposition (sputtering), carbon overcoats, lubricant chemistry, and substrate topography.
• Microscopy & Characterization: Expert-level knowledge of advance analytical tool like SEM/EDX (Scanning Electron Microscopy / Energy Dispersive X-ray), FIB (Focused Ion Beam), AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy), XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), Optical Surface Profilometry (OSA Candela, Zygo etc).
• HDD Domain Knowledge (Preferred): Understanding of HDD Channel Physics, Servo Systems, Head-Disk Interface (HDI), magnetic recording physics (PMR/HAMR), and the characteristics of glass and aluminum substrates.
• Data Analysis: Experience in JMP, Minitab, or Python for statistical analysis and defect mapping.
• Proficiency in Japanese Language is an advantage.