Sr. Director, Quality Assurance Engineering

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that. Our technology helped people put a man on the moon.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior Director, Quality Assurance Engineer leads the strategic quality assurance function across three critical WD manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, overseeing Hard Disk Drive (HDD) media production and substrate operations. This role demands exceptional leadership capability to manage a diverse technical team of approximately 200 professionals while maintaining operational excellence, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with global quality standards under high-pressure manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

Establish and execute comprehensive QA strategy aligned with WD global quality standards across all three sites; Define Quality Objectives, metrics and KPI that align with business and operational goals; Serve as a key member of the leadership team (CRB/FMEA review), contribution to decision that affect product integrity, process improvement, manufacturing efficiency, change management and customer satisfaction; Act as Management Representative for Quality Management System in alignment with ISO 9001 standard; Act as one of the employer representative of EHS committees in ensuring a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible workplace.; Lead quality governance, escalation procedures, and MRB (Material Review Board) and Change Review Board (CRB) decision-making processes; Work closely with Manufacturing, Engineering and Product Development teams to ensure consistent quality across all product lines.; Ensures that all excursion and non-conforming lots are controlled, investigated, and disposed systematically — with a focus on preventing recurrence, protecting HDD, and improving process capability thru Material Review Board and 8D Review; Coordinate and lead Risk Management Board review with HDD the for non-conforming products to evaluate impact and define appropriate actions; Implement data-driven quality analytics using advanced tools (SPC, statistical analysis, automated monitoring systems); Lead investigations of critical quality events, escaped defects, and field failures; Oversee quality operations spanning Penang Media (PN), Sarawak Substrate Operations (SWK), and Johor Substrate Operations (JO); Ensure consistent QA policies, procedures, and standards across all three facilities while respecting site-specific operational requirements; Establish cross-site quality forums and knowledge-sharing platforms; Manage resource allocation, capacity planning, and staffing across multiple locations; Foster strong partnerships with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Product teams; Collaborate with regional Quality leadership and global Quality centers of excellence; Participate in product development reviews, design for manufacturability (DFM) assessments, and process capability studies; Engage with customer quality teams on quality metrics, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives; Lead, develop, and mentor a team of approximately 200 technical staff including QA Engineers, Quality Technicians, Process Engineers, and QC Specialists; Build high-performance quality culture emphasizing ownership, accountability, and continuous learning; Establish talent development programs, succession planning, and career pathway frameworks; Conduct performance management, recognition, and capability building initiatives; Foster a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and accountability

Requirements

Educational Background: Bachelor Degree or Master of Engineering or Applied Sciences or equivalent/related field.; Minimum 20 years of experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Engineering, or Operations-related roles, with at least 10 years in a leadership capacity.; Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and successfully manage improvement projects from concept to implementation.; Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a data-driven and quality-focused mindset.; Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.; Leading Multi-site Quality Management teams; Frequent Travels required; Coaching and developing team members to enhance technical capability and overall performance.; Strong background in Hard Disk Drive Manufacturing or related electronics assembly/disk media production (highly advantageous); Experience with Substrate operation or thin film technology is a plus.

Nice to have

Proven track record in implementing automated quality system, data analytics and digital quality solutions.