Senior Vacuum Process Engineer - APC & Six Sigma Leader

Seagate Technology; BLOOMINGTON (MN); On-site; USD 94,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Discretionary bonus program

401(k)

Job summary

Seagate Technology seeks a Vacuum Process Engineer in Bloomington, MN. You will develop and optimize vacuum deposition, etching, and related processes to build magnetic recording heads for HDDs. Expect hands-on experimentation, SPC/OCAPs, and cross-site documentation across Seagate’s recording-head manufacturing sites.

The role emphasizes DoE-driven optimization, process control automation, and collaboration with metrology, quality, and manufacturing teams to improve yield and throughput.

Qualifications

• Background in vacuum science or processing.
• Ability to determine key process input variables using DoE to maximize performance and yield.
• Ability to statistically analyse data and perform defect analysis to increase process capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, optimize, and control vacuum processes in a manufacturing setting.
• Use metrology, defect analysis, and statistics to ensure process capability.
• Support and optimize new HAMR-based processes.
• Apply Six Sigma methodologies to maximize performance and minimize variability via structured experiments.
• Develop automated methods for maintaining process control across tools, including SPC and OCAPs.
• Learn and design Automated Process Control methods for real-time adjustments.
• Maintain process documentation and ensure congruency across sites.
• Evaluate and introduce new production equipment and train personnel.

Skills

Vacuum science

DoE (Design of Experiments)

Statistical analysis

Sputter deposition

AI tools (Copilot)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Material Science, Chemistry, Chemical & Electrical Engineering or Physics + 5+ years

Master’s degree in same fields + 3+ years

PhD + 0+ years or equivalent

Tools

AI tools

Job description

Seagate Technology seeks a Vacuum Process Engineer in Bloomington, MN. You will develop and optimize vacuum deposition, etching, and related processes to build magnetic recording heads for HDDs. Expect hands-on experimentation, SPC/OCAPs, and cross-site documentation across Seagate’s recording-head manufacturing sites.

The role emphasizes DoE-driven optimization, process control automation, and collaboration with metrology, quality, and manufacturing teams to improve yield and throughput.