Principal Test Engineer

Western Digital is seeking a highly experienced Principal Test Engineer to serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert within our semiconductor manufacturing operations. In this individual contributor role, you will drive test strategy, lead complex failure investigations, and elevate the technical capabilities of cross-functional engineering teams -- influencing outcomes through deep expertise and structured thinking, not headcount.

This is a senior individual contributor position embedded within a fast-paced, high-volume semiconductor manufacturing environment. The Principal Test Engineer does not manage direct reports -- instead, they lead through deep technical authority, influencing engineers and technicians across process and hardware domains to deliver measurable improvements in test yield, reliability, and efficiency. The role demands a practitioner who is equally comfortable designing a test strategy in a planning session and diving into raw data to resolve an active production excursion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define and drive comprehensive test strategies and execution plans across assigned product lines in a high-volume semiconductor manufacturing environment.
• Serve as a technical authority and subject matter expert -- influencing and aligning engineers and technicians across cross-functional teams without relying on direct management authority.
• Lead structured root cause analysis (RCA) investigations for complex test failures, equipment anomalies, and yield excursions using methodologies such as 8D, FMEA, Fishbone, and Fault Tree Analysis.
• Develop and apply advanced data analysis techniques -- including statistical process control (SPC), design of experiments (DOE), and multivariate analysis -- to identify failure patterns and drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Collaborate closely with process engineering, hardware engineering, product engineering, and quality assurance teams to integrate test requirements seamlessly into the production flow.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives in test methodology, test coverage, cycle time reduction, and first-pass yield enhancement.
• Evaluate, qualify, and optimize automated test equipment (ATE) platforms, test fixtures, and related tooling in alignment with production and quality targets.
• Translate complex technical findings into clear, actionable insights for both engineering teams and non-technical stakeholders -- including reports on test yields, failure trends, and efficiency metrics.
• Identify capability gaps and facilitate knowledge-sharing, technical coaching, and upskilling programs for test engineers and technicians.
• Ensure all test engineering activities comply with applicable health, safety, and industry standards including ISO, IEC, RBA, and BCMS.
• Support the evaluation and deployment of AI and machine learning tools for test optimization, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection where applicable.
• Oversee comprehensive documentation of test processes, methodologies, and performance baselines to maintain institutional knowledge and audit readiness.

Function: Engineering
Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level