Vice President Seagate Research

Seagate Technology; Shakopee (MN); On-site; USD 265,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Sick time

Flex time

401(k)

Job summary

Seagate Technology's Seagate Research is seeking a visionary VP to define and lead the enterprise research vision, aligning long-term business, technology, and innovation strategies. You will head a global, multidisciplinary organization focused on future technologies, governance of a balanced portfolio, and collaboration across Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and Legal.

Based onsite in Shakopee, MN, Longmont, CO, or Fremont, CA, this role offers leadership over IP development and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in research and development, advanced engineering, technology strategy, or related disciplines.
• Significant experience leading leaders and multidisciplinary teams within large, global organizations.
• Demonstrated success defining enterprise technology strategies and managing complex research portfolios across multiple investment horizons.
• Proven track record translating research into prototypes, IP, partnerships, or commercial outcomes.
• Experience managing significant operating budgets, research facilities, and external investments.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills to influence senior stakeholders and boards.
• Experience evaluating and managing technical, operational, strategic, and investment risks.

Responsibilities

• Define and communicate Seagate's enterprise research vision aligned to long-term business, technology, and innovation strategies.
• Lead a global, multidisciplinary research organization focused on future technologies and opportunities.
• Govern a balanced portfolio of foundational research, strategic capability development, adjacent innovation, and commercialization initiatives.
• Establish portfolio roadmaps, investment frameworks, technical milestones, and review processes that drive disciplined decision-making and resource allocation.
• Translate emerging technological shifts and scientific discoveries into actionable enterprise priorities and investment opportunities.
• Advise executive leadership on disruptive technologies, emerging risks, strategic technology choices, and future growth opportunities.
• Drive the progression of research concepts from discovery through validation, prototyping, IP development, partnerships, licensing, or commercialization.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Manufacturing, Information Security, Legal, IP, and business leaders to accelerate innovation adoption.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with universities, research institutions, government agencies, startups, suppliers, customers, and industry consortia.
• Lead research planning and operational governance, including budgets, laboratories, equipment, staffing, partnerships, compliance, safety, security, and portfolio risk management.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder influence

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Ph.D. in Engineering/Physics/Materials Science/Chemistry

Job description

life insurance, parental leave, paid time off, sick time, flex time, 401(k)

Sep 14, 2026

Job Description

Vice President Seagate Research

Posting Start Date: 9/2/26

About our group:

Seagate Research is responsible for advancing the scientific discoveries, breakthrough technologies, and strategic capabilities that will shape the future of data. As Seagate's central research organization, the team drives innovation across fundamental science, emerging technologies, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation data solutions. Through internal research programs and external collaborations, Seagate Research creates new opportunities for growth, strengthens competitive advantage, and accelerates the commercialization of transformative technologies.

Research focus areas include:

• Device Physics
• Physical Intelligence and Robotics
• Data Security
• Advanced Manufacturing Technologies
• Edge and Mass Capacity Solutions

About the role - you will:

• Define and communicate Seagate's enterprise research vision aligned to long-term business, technology, and innovation strategies.
• Lead a global, multidisciplinary research organization focused on future technologies and emerging competitive opportunities.
• Govern a balanced portfolio of foundational research, strategic capability development, adjacent innovation, and commercialization initiatives.
• Establish portfolio roadmaps, investment frameworks, technical milestones, and review processes that drive disciplined decision-making and resource allocation.
• Translate emerging technological shifts and scientific discoveries into actionable enterprise priorities and investment opportunities.
• Advise executive leadership on disruptive technologies, emerging risks, strategic technology choices, and future growth opportunities.
• Drive the progression of research concepts from discovery through validation, prototyping, intellectual property development, business adoption, partnerships, licensing, or commercialization.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, Manufacturing, Information Security, Legal, Intellectual Property, Corporate Development, and business leaders to accelerate innovation adoption.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with universities, research institutions, government agencies, startups, suppliers, customers, and industry consortia.
• Lead research planning and operational governance, including budgets, laboratories, equipment, staffing, partnerships, compliance, safety, security, and portfolio risk management.
• Champion intellectual property creation, protection, and strategic utilization.
• Develop and inspire a diverse, high-performing team of technical leaders, researchers, and innovators.
• Represent Seagate externally as a recognized thought leader and advocate for innovation in data, storage, and advanced technologies.

About you:

• You are a visionary technology leader who can translate long-range scientific possibilities into business value and strategic advantage.
• You bring deep technical credibility combined with strong commercial acumen.
• You excel at leading through ambiguity and making evidence-based decisions in highly complex environments.
• You are skilled at aligning technical, operational, and business stakeholders around transformational opportunities.
• You foster innovation through collaboration, inclusion, experimentation, and continuous learning.
• You are passionate about developing exceptional technical talent and building high-performing organizations.

Your experience includes:

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in research and development, advanced engineering, technology strategy, or related disciplines.
• Significant experience leading leaders and multidisciplinary teams within large, global organizations.
• Demonstrated success defining enterprise technology strategies and managing complex research portfolios across multiple investment horizons.
• Proven track record of translating research into prototypes, intellectual property, technology transfers, strategic partnerships, licensing opportunities, or commercial outcomes.
• Experience managing significant operating budgets, research facilities, laboratory environments, and external research investments.
• Strong executive presence and exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and boards.
• Experience evaluating and managing technical, operational, strategic, and investment risks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience within data infrastructure, storage, semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, hardware, AI, robotics, or other deep technology industries.
• Experience operating at the intersection of research, product development, manufacturing, and commercial deployment.
• Established network across academic institutions, government research agencies, industry organizations, startup ecosystems, and technology partners.
• Recognized industry thought leadership demonstrated through patents, publications, conference presentations, standards participation, industry awards, or successful technology ventures.
• Experience leading technology commercialization and innovation-to-market initiatives in global enterprises.

Success in This Role

• Establishes and executes a clear, funded, and measurable enterprise research strategy.
• Creates a sustainable pipeline of breakthrough innovations that drive business impact and future growth.
• Accelerates the transition of research outcomes into products, platforms, operational capabilities, partnerships, and intellectual property.
• Strengthens collaboration across Seagate functions and strategic external partners.
• Builds and develops a world-class research organization recognized for scientific excellence, innovation, and commercial impact.

Location:

This position follows an onsite work structure. The role may be based in Shakopee, Minnesota, Longmont, Colorado, or Fremont, California.

Shakopee (Shakopee, MN):

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.

Longmont:

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.

Fremont:

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.

The estimated base salary range for this position is $265,000 - $320,000. 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.

This position offers an opportunity to lead one of Seagate's most strategically important engineering organizations, driving the technologies that enable future generations of industry‑leading storage solutions.

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

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