Senior Etch Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Company Description

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy.

As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That's where we come in.

We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide.

This isn't theoretical work. It's real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today.

We're looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level.

Join us and let's shape the future of data.

Job Description

The Manufacturing Supervisor functions as a leader coordinating between manufacturing, maintenance, process and equipment engineering teams in planning and improving down time, process efficiency and production of high quality wafers.

In addition, the Manufacturing Supervisor will often be directly involved in the resolution of tooling or processing issues and may recommend, document and implement changes at the direction of the appropriate engineering group. The Manufacturing Supervisor will also play a vital role to improve throughput and risk mitigation for the manufacturing line.

Manage a department of 30 to 45 reports engaged in the production of thin-film/ photolithography/wet etch processes.  Provide leadership and direction to shift operators and leads toward the attainment of production goals.  Maintain oversight of the production process and drive resolution of problems that arise.  Adapt to changes on the fly and pursue alternate paths, when necessary to achieve objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain staffing levels needed to meet production/non production schedules
• Plan and execute training strategies to ensure coverage of assigned operations
• Monitor production requirements to ensure priorities are communicated and addressed
• Identify and drive resolution of problems that could impact output or quality
• Monitor tool performance as needed and react to out-of-control situations
• Work with PE, Tool Owners and/or Maintenance teams to address tooling/process issues
• Ensure employees are hired, promoted and compensated consistent with company policies
• Track employee performance to ensure expectations are being met
• Provide timely coaching to develop and enhance the performance of your direct reports
• Conduct periodic performance reviews and ensure assessments are fair, consistent
• Address performance problems in a timely fashion and take appropriate action(s)
• Ensure the consistent application of appropriate disciplinary actions, when warranted
• Provide coaching/direction to wafer operators and leads
• Help promote and implement "Lean" manufacturing concepts; champion Kaizen events

Qualifications

PREFFERED:

• Bachelors of Science in either Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Data Analysis or Statistics, Chemistry or Physics
• Knowledge and familiarity of semiconductor wafer manufacturing processes (thin film deposition, ion mill, reactive ion etch, electroplating, photolithography, metrology, sputter etch, sputter deposition) and logistics
• Knowledge of Statistical Process Control systems, applications and rules 
• Knowledge of MESA or similar Shop floor Control Systems 
• Able to extract, summarize, interpret and present process data
• Able to apply process data to decision making 
• Knowledge and familiarity of Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing Principles and DMAIC processes 
• Proficiency or experience with SQL or similar query languages
• Proficiency or experience with VBA, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience with Project Management applications 
• Leadership qualities and experience
• History of problem solving; able to drive problems to resolution 
• Excellent communication skills, verbal and written

Salary Range: 84,200.00-112,300.00

Additional Information

WD 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.

WD 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.

WD 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 10/07/2026 (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.
• 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 be considered for bonuses under either WD's Short Term Incentive Plan ("STI Plan") or the Sales Incentive Plan ("SIP") 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 WD'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 WD 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.

Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that WD and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to WD Ethics Helpline or email [email protected].