Engineering Director (Equipment Development Engineering)
Shugart, SG
About our group:
The Equipment Development Engineering team at Seagate Technology leads the design, qualification, improvement, and integration of advanced backend test systems for hard disk drive manufacturing. The team serves as the technical authority on system-level engineering, specializing in vibration, thermal, power, and automation reliability for both legacy and current tester platforms such as Gemini and Nimbus. By collaborating across hardware, firmware, mechanical, electronics, and software disciplines, the department drives equipment qualification, system upgrades, obsolescence management, and data-driven diagnostics to ensure factory performance, stability, and scalability. Their mission-critical work underpins the reliability and continuous improvement of Seagate’s manufacturing operations, delivering innovative solutions and sustaining engineering excellence in a high-volume production environment.
About the role - you will:
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Engineering Director to lead our Equipment Development Engineering Design Team. This role is critical in driving the end-to-end design, development, and delivery of high-performance capital equipment that meets the demanding requirements of HDD manufacturing. The ideal candidate combines deep engineering expertise with proven leadership, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.
Leadership & Strategy
- Provide vision, direction, and leadership for a multidisciplinary engineering team (mechanical, electrical, controls, software, etc.) focused on capital equipment development.
- Develop and execute strategic plans aligned with company objectives, customer requirements, and market trends.
- Foster a high-performance engineering culture focused on innovation, quality, and accountability.
- Ability to work and thrive in a global matrix environment spread across multiple countries.
Program & Product Development
- Oversee the full product lifecycle from concept to delivery, including design, prototyping, testing, validation, and transfer to manufacturing.
- Drive system architecture decisions, design reviews, and technical risk mitigation strategies.
- Ensure adherence to product development timelines, budgets, and quality/safety standards.
Cross-functional Collaboration
- Partner with Product Management, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain and other Equipment Development teams to ensure cohesive development and smooth handoffs.
- Interface with customers, vendors, and partners to understand requirements and ensure successful integration and deployment.
Team Development
- Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering talent to support current and future business needs.
- Implement performance management processes and promote career development within the team.
Process & Continuous Improvement
- Establish and improve engineering processes, tools, and standards (e.g., design control, DFMEA, DFM/DFA, stage-gate).
- Champion lean engineering, systems engineering, and design-for-manufacturability principles.
- Implement continuous engineering initiatives such as feature upgrades and EOL management for all designs.
- Drive implementation of AI/ML initiatives on existing HDD capital equipment and new designs.
Hard disk drive manufacturing capital equipment design experience
- Familiarity and experience with HDD back end tester equipment design
- Knowledge in application of HDD back end test processes
- Working knowledge of test and inspection equipment design for all HDD components
About you:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field (Master’s or PhD preferred).
- Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
Your experience includes:
- 15+ years of High precision equipment engineering experience, with at least 10 years in a senior leadership role overseeing capital equipment design.
- Proven track record of delivering complex, multidisciplinary capital equipment (vision inspection, precision pick and place, hard disk drive test etc).
- Strong understanding of systems engineering, software algorithms, motion control, fluid dynamics, thermal systems, and/or automation technologies.
- Familiarity with relevant standards and regulations (e.g. ISO, CE, SEMI, SOP39 if applicable).
- Experience with PLM, CAD/CAE tools, and project management software.
- Experience in a regulated or high-reliability industry.
- Hands-on engineering design knowledge and experience.
- Background in global engineering team management.
- PMP or similar project management certification.
- Working knowledge of Agile or hybrid development methodologies.
Location:
Location: Shugart, Singapore
Travel: None