Principal Engineer - Vacuum Coating Equipment Design

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that—our technology helped people put a man on the moon and capture the first-ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, WD_BLACK™, and SanDisk® Professional brands.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

Position Summary / 职位概述

Join our next-generation Sunshine Sputter Platform as a Senior Vacuum Coating Equipment Design Engineer. You will lead the mechanical design and industrialization of advanced PVD magnetron sputtering and CVD deposition equipment, taking products from concept and prototype through production release and factory deployment in Shenzhen and Penang. Working closely with process, automation, manufacturing, and supplier teams, you will play a key role in delivering high-performance vacuum coating systems for volume manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities / 主要职责

• Lead the mechanical design of vacuum chambers, pumping systems, target assemblies, wafer/disk handling mechanisms, and thermal management modules using Creo/Pro-E.
• Perform structural, thermal, vacuum stress, and CFD simulations using Ansys to optimize chamber performance, vacuum integrity, pumping efficiency, and coating uniformity.
• Drive prototype development from fabrication through supplier assembly, system integration, equipment qualification, and production commissioning.
• Investigate and resolve mechanical issues including vacuum leaks, thermal deformation, motion reliability, interference, and cable routing.
• Develop DOE validation plans, engineering reports, 8D corrective actions, and engineering change documentation.
• Collaborate with process engineers, PLC/automation engineers, manufacturing teams, and suppliers to deliver integrated mechanical and electrical solutions.
• Prepare and maintain engineering documentation including BOMs, assembly procedures, maintenance manuals, and localization packages in both English and Chinese.
• Support equipment installation, startup, and engineering activities at manufacturing sites in Shenzhen and Penang.

Qualifications / 任职资格

Education

• Master's degree or above in Mechanical Engineering, Vacuum Engineering, Precision Manufacturing, or a related discipline.

Experience

• 5–10 years of mechanical design experience for PVD/CVD vacuum coating equipment or other high-vacuum precision equipment.
• Proven experience in complete vacuum chamber and equipment design.
• Experience in HDD carbon overcoat sputtering equipment is highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Expert in Creo/Pro-E for 3D modeling, assembly design, and engineering drawing release.
• Proficient in Ansys for structural, thermal, and fluid simulations.
• Strong knowledge of turbomolecular pumps, high-vacuum chamber design, sealing technology, and vacuum piping systems.
• Familiar with stainless steel fabrication, aluminum precision machining, welding processes, and cleanroom-compatible equipment design.
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and engineering change management.

Language

• Professional English communication skills, including technical documentation, engineering meetings, and collaboration with global suppliers and manufacturing teams.

Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

WD thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.

WD is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email [email protected].