Vacuum Process Senior Engineer (Onsite)

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

About Our Group

Process engineering is responsible for controlling all tooling on the factory floor that is used to fabricate Magnetic Recording Heads used within Seagate HDDs. We employ traditional process-control methods as well as novel Advanced Process Control (APC) algorithmic systems to analyze the health of our processes in real time and make automated adjustments. We also manage manual and automated systems to disposition recording heads for conformality to product specifications.

About Our Group

Process engineering is responsible for controlling all tooling on the factory floor that is used to fabricate Magnetic Recording Heads used within Seagate HDDs. We employ traditional process-control methods as well as novel Advanced Process Control (APC) algorithmic systems to analyze the health of our processes in real time and make automated adjustments. We also manage manual and automated systems to disposition recording heads for conformality to product specifications.

This position will work with the Vacuum Process Engineering team in our Bloomington, MN facility to control and optimize the processes and tooling used to build the recording heads that go into every Seagate Hard Disc Drive (HDD).

About The Role - You Will

• Develop, implement, optimize, and control vacuum processes (deposition, reactive etching, ion milling, or magnetic annealing) within a manufacturing setting. Ownerships will change over time, allowing for professional growth.
• Make extensive use of metrology, defect analysis, and statistics to ensure processes are capable and targeted.
• Support and optimize new processes developed to build the latest generation of magnetic recording heads based on HAMR technology.
• Continually use Six Sigma methodologies and techniques to maximize the performance, and minimize the variability, of product through active hands-on completion of structured experiments and OFATs (One Factor at a Time) experiments on the vacuum processes you manage.
• Develop systematic and automated methods for maintaining process control across multiple tools, including implementing SPC charts and Out-of-Control Action Plans (OCAPs) and Material Dispositioning instructions.
• Learn and design new Automated Process Control methods and systems that you will implement onto your toolsets to enable real-time and error-free adjustments as needed.
• Be expected to maintain all process documentation and ensure process congruency across Seagate’s recording-head manufacturing sites.
• Evaluate and introduce new production equipment into the manufacturing line and create all necessary associated manufacturing documentation, instructing and certifying production personnel during all working shifts on documented process procedures.
• Oversee manufacturing issues (scrap, rework, cycle-time reduction, multiple-path maintenance) will also be a top priority.

About You

• Have a background in Vacuum science or processing.
• Have an understanding about how to determine key process input variables using statistical DoE (Design of Experiment) methods to maximize performance and yield of product.
• Demonstrated ability to statistically analyse data and perform defect analysis to increase process capability and to optimise process yields.

Your Experience Includes

• Ion etching (reactive and/or ion mill) wafer processing.
• An understanding of magnetic principles and phenomena would also be useful.
• Working with, or formal education of, applying engineering statistics to solve engineering problems
• Knowledge of design of experiments (methods of design)
• Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing vacuum-based process, preferably via Design of Experiment.
• Hands‑on familiarity with vacuum related tooling and processing.
• Sputter deposition with a preference to reactive sputter deposition
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Microsoft Copilot and other AI tools, with an interest in applying them to improve engineering productivity and problem‑solving.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Material Science, Chemistry, Chemical & ElectricalEngineering or Physics and 5+ years’ experience, or a Master’s degree in the same and 3+ years’ experience, or a PhD and 0+ years of experience or equivalent education and experience.

You Might Also Have

• A fundamental understanding of the propagation of light through materials and the resonant responses that are induced.
• Experience in a manufacturing setting or in process development employing vacuum technics and processes
• Experience with Six Sigma, as a Green or Brown belt
• Interest in developing skills in Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Data Science
• Support and Develop Automation with Training using Microsoft Power Automate, Python, and OCAPs.

Salary

The estimated base salary range for this position is $94,100.00 - $134,600.00. The individual salary is based on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Benefits

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

Bloomington, MN (This is an onsite position – you will work Monday – Friday during core business hours in our Bloomington, MN manufacturing site.)

Our Normandale campus spans two suburbs, Edina and Bloomington, and serves as the Recording Head development and manufacturing arm of Seagate. Located in the heart of a bustling community, Seagate offers an on‑site café, or if you prefer, you can drive to one of many restaurants just minutes away. Need to grab a gift over lunch time? Shopping is abundant in the area. If working out is your thing, the on‑site fully equipped fitness centre hosts wellness programmes, outdoor activities, tournaments and group workouts. Looking for something more laid back? Reset in one of our meditation rooms, or simply take a walk around our indoor walking path. On‑site cultural festivals, celebrations and community volunteer opportunities also abound.

Travel

Up to 10%