Hardware Development Engineering

Western Digital Corporation; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 107,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Digital Corporation is seeking an Early Career Photolithography Process Engineer to join our wafer manufacturing team. You will develop, optimize, and sustain lithography processes used in high‑volume semiconductor manufacturing with mentorship and growth opportunities.

The role requires a technical degree, strong data‑analysis skills, and experience with DOE, SPC, and process characterization. You’ll collaborate with cross‑functional teams to improve yield, cycle time, and equipment

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in semiconductor manufacturing or related tech environments.
• Strong data analysis and problem solving with ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as JMP, Python, SQL, Minitab, SAS, MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Support photolithography process development, optimization, and sustaining activities for high-volume manufacturing.
• Monitor process and equipment performance using statistical analysis and data-driven problem solving.
• Conduct DOE experiments and process characterizations.
• Develop and implement yield, cycle time, quality, and manufacturing robustness improvements.
• Collaborate with Integration, Yield Enhancement, Metrology, Maintenance, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering teams.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Team collaboration

Ownership/initiative

Education

B.S./M.S. in Engineering or related field

Tools

JMP

Python

SQL

Minitab

SAS

MATLAB

Job description

• Job Type (exemption status): Exempt position - Please see related compensation & benefits details below
• Salary Range: 106,600.00-142,100.00
• Business Function: Hardware Development

Company Description

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 people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

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

Job Description

Western Digital is seeking a motivated Early Career Photolithography Process Engineer to join our wafer manufacturing team. This role is ideal for engineers who are passionate about semiconductor manufacturing and processing. development, data analysis, and solving complex technical challenges. As a member of the Photolithography Engineering team, you will work alongside experienced engineers, technicians, equipment specialists, and cross-functional partners to develop, optimize, and sustain advanced lithography processes used in high-volume manufacturing. This position offers excellent opportunities for technical growth, mentorship, and career development in one of the most critical process areas within semiconductor manufacturing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support photolithography process development, optimization, and sustaining activities for high-volume manufacturing.
• Monitor process and equipment performance using statistical analysis and data-driven problem solving.
• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective actions for process excursions, yield issues, and equipment-related events.
• Execute experiments and process characterizations using Design of Experiments (DOE)
• methodologies.
• Develop and implement process improvements to improve yield, cycle time, quality, and
• manufacturing robustness.
• Support qualification of new equipment, materials, and process technologies.
• Create and maintain process documentation, operating procedures, and engineering reports.
• Train and support technicians, manufacturing personnel, and equipment owners.
• Collaborate with Integration, Yield Enhancement, Metrology, Maintenance, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering teams.
• Utilize Statistical Process Control (SPC), Advanced Process Control (APC), and data analytics tools to monitor and improve critical process metrics.
• Gain hands‑on experience with advanced lithography systems and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Qualifications

REQUIRED

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in semiconductor manufacturing, microfabrication, research laboratories, or other technology‑focused environments.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with demonstrated ability to interpret data and identify trends.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as JMP, Python, SQL, Minitab, SAS, MATLAB, or similar platforms.

SKILLS

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, learning agility, and ownership of assigned projects.

PREFERRED

• Internship, co‑op, research, or manufacturing experience in semiconductor processing or wafer fabrication.
• Familiarity with cleanroom environments and semiconductor manufacturing practices.
• Exposure to photolithography concepts such as photoresist coating, exposure, development, overlay, and critical dimension control.
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Advanced Process Control (APC).
• Experience with scripting, automation, machine learning, or data visualization tools is a plus.

Additional Information

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