Staff Engineer - Cleaning Process & Contamination Control (HDD Heads)

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

About our group:

As a Staff Engineer, you will be the technical expertise for cleaning processes and product cleanliness in heads mechanical process. You will lead strategy, innovation, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve best in class cleanliness and defect performance for heads to enable next-generation product launches.

About the role - you will:

• Drive process improvement projects aligned with defined technology roadmaps and operational excellence objectives.
• Develop and maintain cleaning process plans in collaboration with IE, Facilities, and Manufacturing teams.
• Support the introduction, qualification, and control of new material-handling and cleaning processes, including tape-related processes.
• Apply data-driven methods to improve process capability, yield, and defect prevention.
• Establish and maintain cleanliness standards, procedures, and best practices to support current and next-generation products.
• Collaborate closely with upstream and downstream teams (Slider, HGA, Product) and partner with operations, software, tooling, and maintenance teams during evaluation builds and technology deployment.
• Execute process experiments and evaluations using statistical tools and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Perform root-cause analysis for cleaning-related issues and provide technical support during manufacturing escalations and new product introductions.
• Build and maintain strong technical expertise in cleaning chemistries, contamination control, and cleaning process technologies.

About you:

• B.S. or higher in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Electrical, Electronic, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• 5–8+ years of experience in HDD manufacturing, with exposure to Slider, HGA, and drive processes.
• Hands-on experience in cleaning process development, qualification, and cleanliness improvement.
• Working knowledge of industrial sensors, actuators, and motor control systems.
• Strong team player with the ability to collaborate effectively in cross-functional project teams.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills; experience using statistical tools and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Good communication skills and professional English proficiency.

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.