Wafer Manufacturing Apprentice

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.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

JOB SUMMARY: 

Western Digital is excited to continue our Wafer Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program!

In partnership with Work2Future, Foothill College, and the Department of Labor, we are proud to offer a first ever accelerated career learning path for committed candidates that are serious about getting established in the semiconductor industry while working in a world class cleanroom and tech manufacturing facility.

In addition to full-time employment, competitive pay and great benefits, this opportunity offers paid for community college instruction (one class per quarter) meant to enhance your on-the-job training. You will learn about subjects such as Quantitative Reasoning, Introduction to Semiconductor Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and Introduction to Engineering at no cost to you. Winter classes begin January 2025. 

Starting pay is a blended rate of $20/hr base + built-in overtime. Total hourly pay combined is $23.20/hr or $41,600 annually followed by subsequent wage progression once competency targets are met. In addition, candidates will receive Full-Time Western Digital Benefits and will be eligible for a target 8% annual bonus. Upon successful completion of this 1-year Apprenticeship Program, candidates will have obtained the specialized knowledge and skills to advance internally within Western Digital.

As a Wafer Manufacturing Apprentice, you are responsible for learning to handle semiconductor wafer discs, operate tools and devices used to fabricate wafers, and/or perform electrical wafer test operations. You will become skilled in setting up, calibrating, loading, operating, and monitoring assigned machines and equipment. You will acquire proficiency with automated systems, tracking different batches, inspecting/verifying the quality of the product, and recording/analyzing data.

The production floor is a Class 100 Cleanroom which requires following documented procedures and safety policies while wearing PPE to protect the product from contamination.

In this role you will coordinate and communicate frequently with team members to ensure desired production flow in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.  

*Apprentices need not have wafer related experience or demonstrated skill but should have an aptitude for the work. Exposure to tech manufacturing or cleanroom work experience is preferred, but not required for this entry-level trainee role.  

 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Attend several required supplemental instruction classes in addition to full-time employment (one class per quarter). Courses will be part in-person, part virtual, starting January 2025 (Winter Term), offered by Foothill College in Sunnyvale. Courses include Quantitative Reasoning, Introduction to Semiconductor Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, and Introduction to Engineering. Over the duration of the apprenticeship, you will become:

• Responsible for setting up, loading, operating, and monitoring machines/equipment for wafer fabrication. 

• Responsible for quality inspection, data collection, productivity, and cycle time.  

• Accountable for individual results at assigned operations.   

• Able to work in a Class 100 Cleanroom and follow all required PPE, safety policies and operational procedures. 

• Able to react to Statistical Process Control (SPC), read and understand production reports, process instructions, and identify/resolve issues within areas of responsibility.   

• Able to coordinate and communicate frequently with other team members to maintain desired workflow and meet production volumes.  

REQUIRED: 

• Candidate must be willing to work a 12-hour production shift on an alternating work schedule 3-4 days per week (standing and walking as required). Work schedule will be modified to ensure time is allotted for attending required onsite and virtual college course sessions.  

• Minimum 1 year of work experience, or equivalent. Manufacturing experience is preferred.

• Classroom training, completion certificates, and college credits will be provided.

• Hands-on training and on-the-job certifications will be provided. 

• Operators must wear a full lab gown on the production floor including jumpsuit, foot coverings, gloves, mask, and hood.  

• Good attendance and punctuality are required. 

• Excellent dexterity when handling small parts is required. 

• Must be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English with an ability to communicate and work effectively within a multicultural team environment.  

• Must be able to learn and apply new knowledge quickly and be capable of operating multiple tools within a production cell in a fast-paced environment.   

• Must possess a strong sense of urgency, commitment, and be results oriented.  

• Candidate should have basic computer skills, including knowledge of Windows and basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel. Intermediate/advanced level of Excel a plus.  

Equal Employment Opportunity
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: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (dol.gov)

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 1/08/2025 (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.

#LI-BL1

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.
• If your position is non-exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws.  You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.
• 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.