HDM Senior Engineer - Early Career

Seagate Technology; Shakopee (MN); On-site; USD 94,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Seagate Technology in Shakopee, MN is seeking an HDM Senior Engineer to advance head‑disk interface technologies for PMR and HAMR drives. You will work at the intersection of mechanical design, tribology, materials science, and data analysis to push spacing control and reliability.

You will apply experimental methods, analyze engineering data, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver technical milestones.

Qualifications

• PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
• Experience analyzing engineering data using Microsoft Excel, JMP, Minitab, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Working knowledge of statistics, experimental methods, data visualization, and technical problem solving.
• Familiarity with test automation, data acquisition, scripting, or engineering debug activities.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and integration of head‑disk interface and head‑media spacing technologies for current and future drive platforms.
• Apply mechanical, electrical, materials, and data‑analysis principles to evaluate spacing‑control concepts, slider behavior, and head‑media interaction.
• Analyze engineering data to identify trends, support root‑cause investigations, and propose practical improvements to performance, yield, or reliability.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to execute technical deliverables and drive HDM roadmap activities.
• Document findings, summarize results, and communicate recommendations clearly to peers and management.

Job description

HDM Senior Engineer - Early Career

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

• Support the development and integration of head‑disk interface and head‑media spacing technologies for current and future drive platforms.

• Apply mechanical, electrical, materials, and data‑analysis principles to evaluate spacing‑control concepts, slider behavior, and head‑media interaction.

• Analyze engineering data to help identify trends, support root‑cause investigations, and recommend practical improvements to performance, yield, or reliability.

• Work with cross‑functional teams across design centers, component organizations, manufacturing, reliability, and product engineering to execute assigned technical deliverables.

• Participate in experiments, data reviews, and issue‑resolution activities related to slider, head‑media spacing, tribology, media, and drive performance.

• Document technical findings, summarize results, and communicate recommendations clearly to peers, project leads, and management.

• Contribute to continuous improvement of test methods, analysis tools, and engineering processes used to characterize head‑disk spacing and drive behavior.

• Build technical depth in HDM engineering while contributing to a collaborative, data‑driven, and innovative team environment.

About you

• Collaborate with Seagate design centers and component teams to support new Head Disk technology development for PMR and HAMR drives.

• Characterize slider, transducer, tribology, and media technologies using established engineering methods and analysis tools.

• Evaluate head‑disk spacing data and contribute to improvements in test processes, measurement consistency, and spacing variation reduction.

• Support integration of slider, head, and media technologies to improve tribology and head‑disk interface performance.

• Work within cross‑functional teams to execute assigned tasks, provide technical updates, and support Head Media Spacing roadmap activities under the guidance of senior technical leaders.

• Experience with Python scripting, data automation, failure analysis, cleanroom/ fab/ material characterization experience, or reliability/yield investigations.

Your experience includes

• Experience analyzing engineering data using Microsoft Excel, JMP, Minitab, Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.

• Working knowledge of statistics, experimental methods, data visualization, and technical problem solving.

• Familiarity with test automation, data acquisition, scripting, or engineering debug activities.

• Required skills include data analysis, structured problem solving, clear technical communication, teamwork across functions, and a willingness to learn advanced HDM and HDD technologies.

• PhD degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.

Location

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.

The estimated base salary range for this position is $94,000 - $118,000. The individual salary is based on work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Location: Shakopee, United States
Travel: None

Information at a Glance

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!

Equal Opportunity & Accommodation

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 (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, religion, military and veteran status, or any other classification 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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