Principal Software/Automation Engineer

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.

Job Purpose

Principal Software/Automation Engineer must have strong expertise in HDD media sputtering or semiconductor deposition tools. As a Principal Software/Automation Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing automation solutions to tool reconfiguration, optimize production processes and improve efficiency. You will lead automation projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies in the automation field.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and architecture of automation systems for HDD media sputtering including process controllers, motion control systems, and data acquisition systems. Develop system requirements, functional specifications, and architecture diagrams.
• Program and configure Siemens PLCs using ladder logic programming to control and monitor processes in HDD media sputtering or semiconductor deposition tools. Develop custom PLC programs for process control, equipment interlocks, and safety functions.
• Configure and implement Siemens S7/TIA communication networks for seamless data exchange between Siemens PLCs, servo drives, sensors, and other automation devices. Optimize network performance and reliability for real-time control and monitoring.
• Design and develop Human-Machine Interface (HMI) systems with Cellview/MS Access using VBA or Siemens TIA Portal using C#/WinCC for operator control and monitoring of processes for HDD media sputter tools. Develop intuitive user interfaces, alarms, trends, and data visualization features for enhanced process visibility and control.
• Implement PLC data acquisition software solutions for collecting, storing, and analyzing process data from HDD media sputtering or semiconductor deposition tools. Develop data logging, reporting, and analysis tools for process optimization and performance monitoring.
• Implement process recipe software solutions for managing process recipes, parameters, and settings in HDD media sputtering or semiconductor deposition tools. Develop recipe management interfaces, data logging, and version control capabilities for recipe optimization and traceability.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors and internal teams to integrate automation systems with HDD media sputtering or including vacuum systems, gas delivery systems, and substrate handling systems. Ensure compatibility, functionality, and safety of integrated systems.
• Stay updated with advancements in automation technology. Identify opportunities for process optimization, automation enhancements, and cost savings through automation.
• Collaborate with equipment engineers, electrical engineers, and project managers to integrate software designs into overall equipment specifications.
• Provide technical support to installation teams during equipment assembly and testing phases.

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering or any other related engineering field
• 10+ years of proven experience in automation engineering, with a strong background in HDD media sputtering or semiconductor deposition tools, PLC programming (Step 7/TIA) , HMI programming (C#/WinCC), PLC data logging, and process recipe software.
• The candidate must demonstrate technical for Thin Film (PVD/CVD) process equipment. Direct experience on Canon Anelva sputter equipment is highly preferred.
• Effective communication skills and ability to lead and mentor a team of automation engineers.
• PC skills include MS Excel, Project, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to details.
• Fluency in English and Chinese language is highly desirable.

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster. Our pay transparency policy is available here.

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.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 05/19/2025 (3 months from posting), although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.

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Compensation & Benefits Details

• An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
• The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York.  This range may be modified in the future.
• You will be eligible to participate in Western Digital’s Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan, which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance.  Depending on your role and your performance, you may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digital’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program, employee stock purchase plan, and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.
• Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.