Senior Staff Process Development Engineer - HGA (Slider Attach & Adhesives)

Level: Senior Staff Engineer (Senior Individual Contributor role; no direct reports)

About our group:

The Head Gimbal Assembly (HGA) Process Development team is responsible for early stage HGA process invention, feasibility, and KPIV understanding to enable future product requirements. 
The team builds deep, physics based understanding of HGA processes, focusing on identifying critical KPIVs, defining their relationships to KPOVs, and developing validated, tool ready process concepts. 
Working in close partnership with HGA/TGA design and product teams, the group ensures strong alignment to next generation architecture and performance needs, while proactively shaping process capability and design tradeoffs. 
The role emphasizes mechanical engineering–driven process development, with strong focus on process physics, materials behavior, and reliability, supported by analytical tools such as finite element analysis (FEA) to guide concept development and de risk emerging technologies

About the role - you will:

• Architect next generation slider-attach and adhesive dispense processes, defining process concepts, materials strategies, and integration schemes to meet future HGA performance requirements
• Lead early stage process invention and feasibility through rapid experimentation, bench prototyping, and concept down selection based on technical merit and scaling risk
• Develop deep physics based understanding of adhesive behavior and slider attach mechanics, including bondline control, wetting/spread dynamics, cure effects, and thermo mechanical interactions
• Identify and quantify critical KPIVs and their relationships to KPOVs (CTQs), building transfer functions, interaction maps, and process limits to guide design and downstream optimization
• Define and co develop novel dispense, placement, and curing tool concepts, including automation, vision alignment, and process control strategies needed for scalable implementation
• Partner closely with advanced HGA/TGA design and materials teams to influence product architecture, adhesive selection, and attach schemes based on process capability and risk
• Collaborate with global teams, including U.S.-based design and engineering partners, requiring flexibility to support cross time zone engagement, including periodic evening meetings
• Deliver M1 ready process solutions, including validated concepts, quantified KPIV/KPOV relationships, and clear scaling/optimization guidance for handoff to integration teams

About you:

• Background in Hard Disk Drive manufacturing or precision assembly processes, with solid engineering fundamentals
• Experience in process development, materials, or manufacturing engineering, with exposure to areas such as adhesives, dispense processes, or cleaning technologies considered a plus
• Basic understanding of data analysis, statistics, or structured problem-solving methods (e.g., DOE, Six Sigma concepts)
• Familiarity with mechanical behavior, materials interaction, or reliability considerations in assembly processes
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to learn quickly and apply engineering principles to new challenges
• Good communication skills in English (written and spoken), capable of working effectively with global and cross-functional teams
• Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration, with willingness to learn, take initiative, and grow into a technical leadership role  

Location:

Teparuk Thailand

Home to over 4,000 employees, our Teparuk site specializes in producing nano-recording heads—a crucial component for the read/write functionality of hard disk drives. At our Teparuk facility, work is both productive and enjoyable. You and your colleagues can grab breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks at our 24/7 on-site canteen and coffee shop. Stay active by taking a few laps around our running track or participating in volleyball, basketball, table tennis, badminton, or football at our on-site gymnasium and fitness center. We also offer a variety of activities, including music, dance, and aerobic classes. Alternatively, unwind in our lush green areas. Consider joining any of our employee resource groups (ERGs), such as Seagate Women in Leadership Network (SWLN), Seagate PRIDE: Thailand chapter, or Seagate’s parents and caregivers' group. These ERGs provide educational and fun activities. Additionally, enjoy on-site festivals, celebrations, and opportunities to give back to the local community.