Surface & Materials Characterization Technician IV

About our group:

Our team at Seagate’s Fremont USA Research Center supports materials, process, and reliability development through surface and nanoscale characterization. We work closely with engineering and failure analysis teams to generate high-quality characterization data that supports product development and issue resolution

About the role - you will:

• Perform hands-on operation of surface and materials characterization tools, including XPS (ESCA), SEM, AFM, and Candela, following established procedures.
• Support engineering, R&D, and failure analysis activities by executing measurements and collecting data on thin films, surfaces, and interfaces.
• Assist engineers with sample preparation, measurement setup, and routine data processing.
• Perform basic data review and reporting, flagging anomalies or potential issues for further engineering analysis.
• Conduct routine tool checks, calibrations, and preventive maintenance to ensure equipment readiness and data quality.
• Help troubleshoot common instrument or measurement issues, escalating complex problems to engineers or specialists as needed.
• Document work clearly in lab notebooks, tracking systems, and standard reports.

About you:

• Hands-on, detail-oriented technician who enjoys working in a laboratory environment.
• Comfortable following standard operating procedures while maintaining strong attention to data quality and repeatability.
• Reliable team player who communicates clearly with engineers, researchers, and peers.
• Able to manage multiple requests and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced lab setting.

Your experience includes:

• Hands-on laboratory experience in materials, surface, or analytical characterization (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Practical experience operating one or more of the following tools: XPS / ESCA, SEM, AFM, or Candela systems.
• Familiarity or understanding of supporting R&D, process development, or failure analysis through measurement execution and data collection.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety practices, documentation standards, and quality requirements.
• Ability to recognize measurement artifacts or abnormal results and communicate findings clearly to engineers.

You might also have

• Experience working in semiconductor, data storage, thin-film, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Exposure to complementary techniques such as optical profiling or other surface-sensitive methods.
• Experience training or assisting junior technicians

Location:

Our Gold LEED-certified Fremont product-design campus drives innovation, bringing together a diverse set of engineering, design, operations, support and administrative teams. The site is equipped with state-of-the-art clean room and lab space. On-site social activities are popular, including our annual BBQ, ice cream social, and holiday events. Wellness programs, gaming rooms and the on-site fitness center help round out and balance your Seagate work-life experience, along with opportunities to give back to our local community.

The estimated base wage range for this position is $34.47 - $50.23/hr. The individual base wage is based on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Seagate offers comprehensive benefits to its eligible employees, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, short- and long-term disability, eligibility to participate in discretionary bonus program, 401(k), employee stock purchase plan, flexible and dependent care spending accounts, and health care spending accounts. Seagate also offers paid time off, including 12 holidays, 120 hours of vacation, a minimum of 48 hours of paid sick leave, and 16 weeks of paid parental leave. The benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year and may differ depending on work location and tenure with the Company.

Location: Fremont USA Research Center
Travel: None