Sr. Director, Quality Assurance Engineering

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. 1. Quality Leadership: • 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 2. Quality /Process Excellence • 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 3. Multi-Site Operations Management • 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 4. Cross-Functional Collaboration • 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 5. Leadership and Development • 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 Requirement: • Educational Background: Bachelor Degree or Master of Engineering or Applied Sciences or equivalent/related field. • Minimum 20 years of experience in Quality Assurance,