Western Digital
Data Storage
HeadTribologyEngineer
“Head Tribology Engineer at Western Digital. Skills: Tribology, Head-media interface, Qualification plans, Material analysis, Failure mode analysis. Work with Head ABS, HOC and TM design teams to support qualification of tribology enablers critical to improving interface reliability.. Responsible for developing qualification plans, communicating to world-wide teams to get agreement, launch builds and follow up on schedules to ensure successfully deployment of features for the product.”
What You'll Achieve.
Improve head-media interface quality and reliability; Successful deployment of features in the HDD product; Accurately assess the benefits and risk of enablers; Successfully deployment of features for the product
Industry & Context.
Analytical and problem-solving capabilities; Drive failure mode analysis; Implement corrective actions (FMEA, root cause analysis)
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, EE, Material science, Physics, Chemistry, or equivalent, 8-10 years industry experience, Experience in Tribology, interface design, tribology testing and material analysis, Awareness of magnetic recording fundamentals, Knowledge of head/media interface challenges in ePMR and HAMR technology, Analytical and problem-solving capabilities with attention to detail
What You'll Do.
HOC and TM design teams to support qualification of tribology enablers critical to improving interface reliability.
Responsible for developing qualification plans
communicating to world-wide teams to get agreement
launch builds and follow up on schedules to ensure successfully deployment of features for the product.
Work with characterization teams to devise component tests which help to accurately assess the benefits and risk of enablers before they are deployed in the product.
Set up evaluation systems to investigate head overcoat surface properties and tribology performance.
Devise component level tests to assess head lifetime related to tribological wear.
Drive failure mode analysis and implement corrective actions (FMEA
root cause analysis).
Work with HDD tribology integration team to qualify enablers in the product.
Perform correlations between component and HDD test results.
Create detailed technical documentation
including specifications related to head tribology for high volume manufacturing.
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Work with Head ABS, HOC and TM design teams; Communicating to world-wide teams to get agreement; Work with characterization teams; Work with HDD tribology integration team; Participate in design reviews; Familiarity with cross-functional team coordination
Communication Scope
Organize complex technical information; Clearly communicate findings either verbally or through written reports and presentations
Process & Methodology
Project management experience, Ability to manage multiple projects efficiently
Applying for this Head Tribology Engineer role?
Most applicants get filtered before a human reads their resume. See if yours makes the cut.
How to Apply on SmartRecruiters
- SmartRecruiters often includes a video screening step — check camera and mic permissions.
- Link your GitHub or portfolio directly in the profile section for technical roles.
- Applications may be reviewed by AI scoring before reaching a recruiter — use keywords from the job description.
ANONYMOUS · UNFILTERED
What do employees actually say about Western Digital?
Real rants from real employees. Read before you apply.