Staff Photolithography Process Development Engineer

Staff Engineer level: Senior individual contributor role with technical leadership and ownership.

Process Technology Development (PTD) is responsible for developing and integrating next-generation slider manufacturing technologies to support Seagate’s future recording product roadmap. Our mission is to develop, mature, and industrialize breakthrough process solutions that improve critical-to-quality (CTQ) performance, yield, automation, scalability, and manufacturing competitiveness. 

As part of the Slider Modernization initiative, we are transforming legacy photolithography and pattern transfer processes into an advanced, highly automated, micro-patterning capable manufacturing platform. This includes the development of next-generation lithography equipment, spray coating technologies, advanced photoresists, intelligent process control, and modern pattern transfer solutions to enable future HMS, and next-generation slider architectures.  

• Lead the development and deployment of next-generation photolithography technologies to support future slider product roadmaps and Slider Modernization initiatives.
• Drive advanced micro-patterning capability development, including stepper lithography, spray coating, spray development, resist technologies, and pattern transfer solutions.
• Own technical evaluation, installation, qualification, and technology readiness of new photolithography platforms including exposure tools, track systems, resist processing modules, and automation solutions.
• Develop and optimize lithography processes for critical slider features requiring improved resolution, overlay accuracy, CD control, and process capability.
• Collaborate with design, process integration, metrology, milling, cleanliness, automation, manufacturing, and equipment engineering teams to enable successful technology introduction.
• Define and execute engineering experiments, DOE plans, process characterization studies, and learning cycles to understand process mechanisms and optimize performance.
• Establish process windows, control strategies, and CTQ monitoring methodologies to ensure robust and scalable solutions.
• Partner with equipment suppliers, research institutes, and external technology partners to evaluate emerging lithography solutions and accelerate technology development.
• Drive technology benchmarking activities across semiconductor, MEMS, and advanced nano-fabrication industries to identify best-known methods and breakthrough opportunities.
• Support roadmap planning, business cases, technology investment proposals, and capital equipment strategies for future lithography capability expansion.
• Collaborate work with Process, Operation, Equipment Engineer drive technical excellence in lithography, pattern transfer, and process integration disciplines.
• Lead cross-site and cross-functional technology transfer activities to ensure successful development and deployment across Seagate operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree in: - Electrical Engineering - Materials Science - Physics - Chemical Engineering - Nanotechnology - Semiconductor Engineering - Or related technical discipline
• 8+ years of relevant engineering experience in one or more areas:- Photolithography - Semiconductor process development - MEMS fabrication - Pattern transfer - Advanced packaging - Nano-fabrication - Cleanroom process development

Preferred Experience

• Strong understanding of photolithography fundamentals including: - Photoresist chemistry - Exposure systems - Optics and imaging - Overlay and alignment - Critical dimension control - Defectivity management
• Experience with: - I-line, DUV, or advanced exposure technologies - Stepper and track systems - Spin coating and spray coating processes - Process integration and pattern transfer - Plasma etching, RIE, or ion milling - Semiconductor metrology tools such as CD-SEM, AFM, optical inspection, defect review, and profilometry
• Experience working with equipment suppliers and external research organizations.
• Strong DOE, statistical analysis, and data-driven problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with automation, smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0, AI/ML, and digital factory concepts is highly desirable.

• Passionate about developing breakthrough manufacturing technologies.
• Strong systems thinker capable of connecting process development to product performance and business impact.
• Excellent project leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Effective communicator across technical and executive audiences.
• Demonstrates innovation, continuous learning, and a growth mindset.
• Comfortable working in highly ambiguous, research-oriented environments while maintaining strong execution focus.
• Driven to challenge conventional manufacturing approaches and enable next-generation technology solutions.

Korat, Thailand

Our Korat facility is our largest manufacturing site worldwide. Here, our team produces cloud-based storage equipment, from individual storage components to finished drives. Employees enjoy ample on-site parking, free shuttle vans and buses within the city of Korat, as well as transportation to and from Bangkok and Khon Kaen province on weekends. At work, you can grab a delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks at one of our 24/7 on-site canteens or coffee shops. We offer table tennis, basketball, volleyball, a running/walking trail, and exercise classes in our on-site fitness center. In addition, there are relaxing spaces with comfortable seating both indoors and outdoors, perfect for taking a break during the day.

Additionally, consider joining any of our employee resource groups (ERGs), such as Seagate Women in Leadership Network (SWLN), Seagate PRIDE: Thailand chapter, or Seagate Asia’s parents and caregivers group. We also have many on-site recreation events and opportunities to give back to the local community.