Hardware Development Engineer (Wafer Optical Metrology)

WD; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 102,500 - 136,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition reimbursement

Paid vacation time

Employee stock purchase plan

Job summary

WD is seeking a highly motivated Wafer Optical Metrology Engineer to support advanced thin-film magnetic read/write head manufacturing in Fremont, California. The engineer will develop and optimize optical metrology methodologies for wafer manufacturing, focusing on enhancing measurement accuracy and process capability.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in Physics, Optics, Engineering, or Material Science, and 0–3 years of experience. Key duties involve recipe development, data analysis, and driving continuous improvements in measurement processes.

Qualifications

• 0–3 years of relevant work experience.
• Knowledge of statistical process control and data analysis techniques.
• Willingness to work hands-on in a clean room environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop optical metrology recipes for wafer manufacturing processes.
• Analyze data trends and implement corrective actions.
• Perform statistical analysis and process capability studies.

Skills

Overlay metrology

Semiconductor process control

Lithography alignment

Statistical analysis

Root cause analysis

Automation and scripting

Technical communication

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Physics, Optics, Engineering or Material Science

Tools

Python

JMP

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Wafer Optical Metrology Engineer to support advanced thin‑film magnetic read/write head manufacturing and process control initiatives. The engineer will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining optical metrology methodologies used in lithography and pattern alignment processes for wafer manufacturing. This role focuses on improving measurement robustness, accuracy, throughput, tool performance, process capability, and yield through data‑driven analysis and collaboration with process integration, lithography, and manufacturing teams.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, qualify, and maintain optical metrology recipes and measurement strategies for semiconductor wafer manufacturing processes.


• Analyze parametric data trends, identify process excursions, and implement corrective actions in collaboration with process, integration, and yield engineering teams.


• Perform statistical analysis and process capability studies (SPC, Cp/Cpk, regression analysis, DOE).


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for precision, throughput, and automation.


• Develop scripts and data analysis tools using Python, JMP, or similar platforms.


• Generate technical reports, presentations, and documentation for engineering reviews.


• Support technology transfers and new process development for advanced products.


• Crosstrain within Metrology Engineering to build broad technical competence and provide support coverage across teams.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Physics, Optics, Engineering (chemical, mechanical, electrical), or Material Science.


• 0–3 years of relevant work experience (internships, co‑ops, or academic research experience considered).


• Knowledge of statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis techniques.


• Detail‑oriented work habits with a willingness to learn and grow.


• Ability to manage assignments and meet deadlines with appropriate guidance.


• Willingness to work hands‑on with equipment and wafers in a clean room environment; prior clean room or wafer fabrication/processing experience is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of optical overlay, alignment, critical dimension (CD), and defect metrology.


• Experience working in high‑volume manufacturing environments.


• Programming/scripting experience in Python, SQL, or JMP.

Skills

• Overlay metrology


• Semiconductor process control


• Lithography alignment


• Statistical analysis


• Root cause analysis


• Automation and scripting


• Technical communication

Salary Range

102,500.00-136,600.00

Equal Opportunity Statement

WD is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender‑related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non‑discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here.

Western Digital 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.

Western Digital 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 [e-mail] 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.

Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.


• The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future.


• If your position is non‑exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.


• You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either WD’s Short Term Incentive Plan ("STI Plan") or the Sales Incentive Plan ("SIP") 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. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to WD's Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.


• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including 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; and the WD Savings 401(k) Plan.


• Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company’s sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Notice to Candidates

Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email [e-mail].