Recording Head Mechanical Process Development - Staff Engineer (Onsite)
$109,400–$159,500 year
On-siteNormandale, Alabama, United States
Job Summary
Architect, design, and develop advanced row bar lapping processes and equipment providing sub-nanometer dimensional control and angstrom level surface finishes. Lead high-precision process development through root cause determination, rapid experimentation, and concept validation using comprehensive data analysis. Work with internal equipment teams and external suppliers to develop, build, and refine first-of-kind tools from initial concept through pre-production readiness. Collaborate with controls, software, vision, automation, and process-control engineers to integrate robust capability into production-ready systems. Partner with product and recording head development teams to convert critical requirements into clear equipment and system specifications. Deliver validated solutions and engineering documentation enabling Thailand-based and global teams to replicate and scale process capability in volume manufacturing. This onsite role in Bloomington, MN supports the Slider Lapping Development group's research and development efforts for future product roadmaps.
Required Qualifications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent ability to work in a cross-functional, cross-cultural team environment balanced with independent judgment and decision-making
- Organized and able to efficiently manage multiple projects
- Ability to supervise the activities of others (this is not a people management role)
- Ability to understand basic engineering principles behind the manufacturing processes and associated software applications
- High precision process and equipment design, development, qualification, and manufacturing
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and 8+ years of experience, or Master's degree in the same and 6+ years of experience, or PHD and 3+ years of experience or equivalent education and experience
- Bloomington, MN (This is an onsite position - Monday – Friday during core business hours)
- Up to 10% travel
Desired Qualifications
- Using modeling, simulation, statistical analysis, or numerical tools such as COMSOL, ANSYS, MATLAB, Python, or JMP to support mechanical process development, equipment design, or process optimization
- Lapping/polishing in the semiconductor or HDD industry or equipment development/design
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