Sr. Equipment Engineer

About our group:

The Equipment Engineering department is the backbone of Seagate's wafer manufacturing operation, producing the magnetic recording heads used in some of the world's most advanced hard disk drives. Our team ensures manufacturing equipment operates at peak performance, maximizing uptime, improving throughput, and minimizing scrap. By maintaining equipment in its optimal state, Equipment Engineering plays a critical role in helping Seagate meet the world's growing demand for data storage.

The department combines deep equipment engineering expertise with advanced factory control systems and AI-driven solutions to monitor equipment in real time and enable automated decision-making. These technologies help transform Seagate's wafer operation into a smart factory. Equipment Engineering also works closely with manufacturing, process engineering, automation, quality, and other cross-functional teams to ensure the factory is positioned to achieve the highest levels of performance for years to come.

Join Seagate and help deliver the data storage technology that powers the continued growth of AI and the world's increasing demand for data.

About the role - you will:

• This is a hands-on engineering role that balances equipment troubleshooting, continuous improvement projects, and data-driven decision-making. Successful candidates must be comfortable spending time on the factory floor diagnosing equipment issues, developing corrective actions, and driving long-term reliability improvements.
• The equipment supported in this role includes photolithography, electroplating, and metrology tools operating in a cleanroom environment.
• As a Senior Equipment Engineer, you will analyze large data sets using statistical and data analysis tools to identify opportunities for scrap reduction, throughput improvements, and downtime reduction.
• You will leverage AI-driven software solutions to automate equipment monitoring and develop advanced equipment health monitoring strategies.
• You will coordinate with multiple departments to install new equipment and implement upgrades or modifications that improve factory performance and reliability.
• Building strong relationships is critical to success in this role. You will work closely with technicians across multiple shifts, earning trust, providing technical leadership, and partnering to solve equipment issues and improve equipment performance.
• You will collaborate with Process Engineers, Yield Engineers, Manufacturing, Automation, and fellow Equipment Engineers to solve complex equipment issues, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and prevent repeat failures.
• The most successful candidates are technically strong, highly collaborative, and able to build productive working relationships across organizations while influencing without direct authority.

About you:

• You enjoy being on the manufacturing floor and are energized by hands-on troubleshooting of complex equipment issues. You are not afraid to roll up your sleeves and work through difficult problems alongside technicians and other cross-functional partners.
• You have strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills and can systematically break down complex problems to identify root causes and implement long-term corrective actions.
• You are a relationship builder who communicates effectively and works well with people at all levels of the organization. You understand that strong partnerships with technicians, engineers, manufacturing, and support teams are critical to success.
• You are comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where priorities can shift quickly and urgent equipment issues may require immediate attention.
• You are highly organized and understand the importance of documentation, follow-through, and maintaining clear records of equipment issues, improvements, and technical decisions.
• You are self-motivated and take ownership of equipment performance. You proactively identify improvement opportunities and drive them to completion rather than waiting for direction.
• You are willing to provide occasional off-shift support when needed to resolve critical equipment issues or support major factory initiatives.

Your experience includes:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Information Technology, or a related engineering field and 5+ years of experience, or Master’s degree in the same fields and 3+ years of experience, or PhD and 0+ years of experience or equivalent education and experience.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting, repairing, and optimizing complex manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with statistical analysis tools and methodologies such as JMP, Minitab, SPC, DOE, and Six Sigma.
• Strong understanding of equipment performance, reliability engineering, and maintenance practices.
• Experience utilizing equipment reliability and analysis methodologies such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Root Cause Analysis.
• Experience implementing or supporting equipment control strategies, factory automation systems, or manufacturing execution systems (MES).
• Demonstrated ability to analyze equipment data and drive improvements in uptime, reliability, productivity, and cost.

You might also have:

• Experience leveraging AI and machine learning tools to improve equipment performance, automate monitoring, or drive operational improvements.
• Experience working in the semiconductor industry, particularly with photolithography, metrology, or other wafer fabrication equipment.
• Experience with advanced problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies such as DMAIC, Lean Manufacturing, TPM, or Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM).
• Knowledge of robotics, motion control systems, PLCs, sensors, machine vision, and industrial networking.
• Experience developing data visualization tools, dashboards, or automated monitoring solutions using SQL, Power BI, Python, or similar tools.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

The estimated base salary range for this position is $94,140.00 - $134,625.00. 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 a 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:

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 center hosts wellness programs, 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.

Location: Normandale, United States
Travel: Up to 10%