HDM Principal Engineer

Seagate Technology; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 239,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Employee stock purchase plan

Health Savings Account

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Parental leave

Job summary

Seagate Technology seeks an HDM Principal Engineer to lead development of advanced fly height technologies and Angstrom-level spacing control for next-gen storage drives. You will collaborate across mechanical, electrical, materials, and data analytics teams to address complex HDD challenges and drive readiness for high-volume manufacturing.

You will translate problems into experiments, guide cross-functional teams, and help advance HDI architectures to boost data density and product performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field with extensive experience.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Expertise in head-disk interfaces, tribology, and fly-height tech.
• Proficient in data analysis and automation of data acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Drive development of adaptive fly height technologies.
• Engineer Angstrom-level spacing control solutions.
• Solve multidisciplinary challenges spanning design, reliability, and manufacturing.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to speed technology readiness.
• Analyze data to resolve performance issues using first-principles methods.
• Advance HDI technology for higher storage densities.

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Head-disk interface knowledge

Tribology knowledge

Python scripting

Data analysis

Excel

JMP

Minitab

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

15+ years experience or 12+ with Master's

PhD with 8+ years experience

Tools

Python

Excel

JMP

Minitab

Job description

Job Title

HDM Principal Engineer

Posting Start Date

9/23/26

Job Description

About our group:

Seagate's Drive HDM group is at the forefront of developing world-leading head-disk interface and head-media spacing technologies that enable the next generation of high-capacity data storage for AI, cloud, and hyperscale applications.

Our team works at the intersection of mechanical design, tribology, materials science, chemistry, electrical engineering, and advanced recording physics to control Angstrom-level spacing between the head and media. By solving complex engineering challenges across performance, yield, reliability, and manufacturability, we help transform breakthrough concepts into robust, scalable technologies for future PMR and HAMR drive platforms. This is an opportunity to contribute to highly impactful innovations alongside global experts who are shaping the future of data storage

About the role - you will:

• Drive the development of cutting-edge adaptive fly height and Field adjust fly height technologies that support the future of AI and hyperscale data storage.
• Engineer ultra-precise Angstrom-level spacing control solutions using a combination of mechanical, electrical, chemical, and materials engineering principles.
• Solve complex, multidisciplinary technical challenges spanning drive design, recording subsystem performance, manufacturing yield, and product reliability.
• Partner with cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, suppliers, and research organizations to accelerate technology innovation and product readiness.
• Investigate and resolve critical performance and reliability issues using data-driven analysis and first-principles engineering.
• Lead technology development efforts that transform breakthrough concepts into high-volume manufacturing solutions.
• Advance the state of the art in head-disk interface (HDI) technologies to enable higher storage densities and improved product performance.
• Influence future storage architectures by developing innovative solutions at the intersection of mechanics, tribology, materials science, electronics, and data storage technology.
• Contribute to a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement while working alongside industry-leading experts

About you:

• Passion for identifying and implementing emerging technologies and process improvements to enhance performance, efficiency, and reliability.
• Enjoy solving complex technical challenges in a fast-paced environment.
• Interested in contributing to the innovation and advancement of the hard disk drive industry.
• Thrive in a collaborative, cross-functional environment, partnering with teams across design centers, engineering, manufacturing, and operations to achieve business objectives and drive results.

Your experience includes:

• Demonstrate strong technical leadership, teamwork, communication, and interpersonal skills in a cross-functional, global engineering environment.
• Translate complex head-disk interface challenges into clear experiments, decisions, and implementation plans.
• Knowledge of head-disk interfaces, slider and tribology technologies, and fly-height adjustment
• Understanding of HDD storage systems for enterprise server, desktop, and notebook applications.
• Charting skills using Microsoft Excel, JMP or Minitab
• Python Scripting and debugging knowledge
• Experience with automation of data acquisition
• Statistical Knowledge for data analysis
• Bachelor's degree in engineering related field (i.e. Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Computer Engineering, Materials, Physics, or Information Technology) and 15+ years of experience or master's degree in the same and 12+ years' experience or PhD and 8+ years' experience or equivalent experience and education.

You might also have:

• Previous Hard Drive experience, slider technology.
• Leading teams and tribology experience

Location:

This position may be based in our Shakopee, MN, Longmont, CO, or Fremont, CA offices.

Our Shakopee campus is located 25 minutes southwest of Minneapolis in a setting with a rural vibe - it overlooks a horse racing track and stables, yet it has great entertainment venues close by as well. With wide-open spaces, the campus has plenty of space for running, biking, shooting some hoops or playing volleyball over lunch. If working out is your thing, the on-site fully equipped fitness center hosts wellness programs, tournaments and group workouts. Hungry? Seagate offers an on-site cafe with freshly sourced foods and specialty coffees, or if you prefer, drive to one of many restaurants just minutes away.

Our Longmont product-design campus is nestled against the foothills with exceptional views of the Rocky Mountains. Here at work, you can grab breakfast and lunch in the on-site cafeteria or get an afternoon espresso, prepared by a professional barista. Our 1,500+ employees enjoy an active on-site experience from sporting activities (get in a few laps at lunch on our 1-mile walking path around campus, play ping-pong or volleyball, or stop in our 24- hour fitness center for a group or individual workout) to community service and many employee resource groups including Pride! Women's Leadership Network and a Young Professionals Network.

Our Gold LEED-certified Fremont product-design campus drives innovation, bringing together a diverse set of engineering, design, operations, support and administrative teams. The site is equipped with state-of-the‑art clean room and lab space. On-site social activities are popular, including our annual BBQ, ice cream social, and holiday events. Wellness programs, gaming rooms and the on‑site fitness center help round out and balance your Seagate work‑life experience, along with opportunities to give back to our local community.

The estimated base salary range for this position is $160,888.00 - $238,912.00. The individual salary is based on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Seagate offers comprehensive benefits to its eligible employees, including, but not limited to, eligibility to participate in discretionary bonus program, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, short‑and long‑term disability, 401(k), employee stock purchase plan, health savings account, dependent care, and healthcare spending accounts. Seagate also offers paid time off, including 12 holidays, flexible time off provided pursuant to Seagate policy, a minimum of 48 hours of paid sick leave, and 16 weeks of paid parental leave. The benefits for this position are based on a full‑time schedule for a full calendar year and may differ depending on work location.

Location: Shakopee, United States

Travel: Up to 10%

Information at a Glance

About Us

With more than four decades of storage innovation, Seagate empowers humanity to thrive in the data age and helps people and businesses navigate the ever‑expanding data landscape.

We craft precision‑engineered, cutting‑edge solutions that help the world store and manage exponential data growth.

Seagate is powered by our talented and passionate workforce of 29,000 employees across the globe who embody our core values: integrity, innovation, and inclusion. Striving towards excellence every single day, we show up with these values for our customers, business partners, shareholders, and communities alike.

Join us and get inspired to make a difference in the datasphere!

Seagate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, military and veteran status, or other status protected by applicable law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. EEO Know Your Rights Poster

Seagate will provide reasonable accommodation with the application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

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