[Skip to main content](#main-content) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) [Hiring report](/reports/hiring/) · [All Western Digital jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/) · [Search jobs](/search/) Western Digital · San Jose, CA # Staff Engineer, Wafer Quality Assurance San Jose, CA, United States Full-time Senior individual contributor Manufacturing & Production Listed on Western Digital’s official careers site. Posted September 28, 2026. Check that it is still open and apply there. [Apply on Western Digital’s careers site →](https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/WesternDigital/744000152272195-staff-engineer-wafer-quality-assurance) [OpenNash Jobs](https://jobs.opennash.com/) / [Western Digital](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/) / Staff Engineer, Wafer Quality Assurance ## Job description ### ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Perform wafer paper failure analysis (FA) and provide disposition for issues flagged by customers. Facilitate wafer manufacturing readiness review (MRR) and process design readiness (PDR) review meetings. Drive 8D closure with corrective action and preventive action (CAPA) implementations to prevent reoccurrence Failure Mode & Effects Analysis (FMEA): Lead and facilitate FMEA activities across wafer fab to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate potential failure modes and their impact on quality and reliability. Partner with process, equipment, manufacturing, and data engineering teams to implement automated quality surveillance and anomaly detection solutions. Drive digitalization initiatives that improve CAPA effectiveness, root cause identification, and risk assessment processes. Evaluate and integrate generative AI and digital agent technologies to enhance engineering productivity, knowledge management, and quality decision-making. Drive adoption of AI-powered quality engineering tools to increase engineering productivity, accelerate defect detection cycle times, and transition the organization from reactive quality management to predictive quality — anticipating and preventing excursions before they impact yield or customer deliverables. Participate in developing and deploying AI-assisted quality monitoring solutions for Change Review Board (CRB), Material Review Board (MRB), Failure Analysis (FA), and FMEA activities. ## Qualifications REQUIRED Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Material Science, Physics, Data Sciences or a related technical field (Master's preferred) - 3+ years of experience in quality assurance, quality engineering, or a related role within semiconductor or wafer manufacturing - Strong problem-solving and root-cause-analysis skills. Ability to analyze datasets and interpret statistical/model-performance results. Experience working with AI/ML or generative AI systems a plus. - Familiarity with FMEA methodology and its application to IT and manufacturing systems Basic understanding of wafer product, including HAMR and knowledgeable of SPC, wafer process build, interconnection between process, equipment, manufacturing, backend a plus - Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with the ability to engage both technical and operations teams - Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a detail-oriented mindset ### ADDITIONAL SKILLS Experience with end-to-end quality management in semiconductor manufacturing Experience developing or utilizing AI-enabled quality monitoring and reporting systems. Knowledge of Generative AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Copilot technologies, or Digital Agents for engineering workflows. Strong data storytelling and visualization skills to communicate complex technical findings to engineering and management teams. Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify opportunities for automation and digital transformation. ## At a glance - Posted by the employer: Sep 28, 2026 - First seen by OpenNash: Oct 11, 2026 - Last checked: Oct 18, 2026 - Listed for: 20 days - Location: San Jose, CA, United States - Employment type: Full-time[Apply on Western Digital’s careers site →](https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/WesternDigital/744000152272195-staff-engineer-wafer-quality-assurance) ## More jobs at Western Digital ### [Associate, Corporate Development Analyst](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/4889658d1c7d80120d4c/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Associate, Corporate Strategy Analyst](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/79d839611fcd2fe56fe6/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Counsel, IP Compliance](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/28b7139369d00f13b329/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Customer Failure Analysis Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/4717456340039146ac31/) San Jose, CA, United States ### [Deputy Chief Compliance Officer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/western-digital/jobs/1b2f5bf365bd549578b0/) San Jose, CA, United States ## Similar jobs at other companies ### [Quality Engineer Sr Staff - E5](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/lockheed-martin/jobs/a8b13db2f6a0a0596dde/) Lockheed Martin · Palmdale, CA ### [Quality Engineer Sr Staff- E5](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/lockheed-martin/jobs/b18c17deaaea00d7837b/) Lockheed Martin · Marietta, GA ### [Staff AI Data Engineer – Wafer Fabrication](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/coherent/jobs/3faa72fe795af7a548f7/) Coherent · Fremont, CA, United States ### [Staff / Principal Wafer Bond Process Development Engineer](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/micron-technology/jobs/9fab98a451975631d228/) Micron Technology · Boise, ID - Main Site ### [Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer - Wafer Chucks & Wafer Positioning Stages](https://jobs.opennash.com/companies/kla/jobs/f8c0b1d0c402d0c13e9a/) KLA · Milpitas, CA OpenNash lists jobs from employers’ own careers sites and does not handle applications. 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