Surface & Materials Characterization Technician IV

Location: 

Fremont, CA, US

Posting Date:  May 8, 2026

Job ID:  14313

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

About Us

With more than four decades of storage innovation, Seagate empowers humanity to thrive in the data age and helps people and businesses navigate the ever-expanding data landscape. 

We craft precision-engineered, cutting-edge solutions that help the world store and manage exponential data growth.

Seagate is powered by our talented and passionate workforce of 29,000 employees across the globe who embody our core values: integrity, innovation, and inclusion. Striving towards excellence every single day, we show up with these values for our customers, business partners, shareholders, and communities alike.

Join us and get inspired to make a difference in the datasphere!

Seagate is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, military and veteran status, or other status protected by applicable law.  We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. EEO Know Your Rights Poster 

Seagate will provide reasonable accommodation with the application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at accommodations@seagate.com. 

All Seagate jobs will remain open for a minimum of seven days.

For information on how Seagate collects and uses your personal information during the application process, please review the Applicant Privacy Statement.

Nearest Major Market: San Francisco
Nearest Secondary Market: Oakland

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