Sivabalan Ganisen
***** ********** *******, *******, ** 94536 408-***-**** *******@*****.***
Mechanical Design Engineer
R&D ~ Project Management ~ Quality Assurance
Profile of Qualifications
POSSESS A SEASONED BACKGROUND IN HIGH-TECH HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD)
MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS WITH SPECIALIZATION IN HARDWARE DESIGN, FAILURE
ANALYSIS AND VALIDATION, PROJECT/TEAM LEADERSHIP, HDD COMPONENT
QUALIFICATION PLANNING, STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, SPC, FIRST ARTICLE AUDITS,
AND INTERNAL ISO 9001:2008 AUDITS. EXCEL IN FULL-SCOPE PRODUCT LIFECYCLE
MANAGEMENT, SOFTWARE INTEGRATION, STAFF TRAINING, AND FOSTERING A
COOPERATIVE CLIMATE ACROSS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS. EXCEPTIONAL SKILLS IN DATA
TREND ANALYSIS, ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS, AND PROCESS VALIDATION.
Selected Accomplishments:
. Instrumental in development and execution of Western Digital
Corporation's first dual stage actuator (DSA) on 3.5" HDD,
successfully deploying program at Asia factory in Sept. 2009.
. Submitted US Patent application for Test Ramp for Testing
Microactuators used in Multi-Head Disk Drive.
. Project-managed $400K USD initiative for new acoustic semi-anechoic
chamber equipment set-up.
. Leveraged poke-yoke process to significantly improve acoustic
measurement methodology.
. Functioned as Mechanical Lead for technology transfer of first
enterprise drive (2003) and 1 inch drive (2005) from San Jose,
California to factory in Malaysia.
. Effectively combined multiple data sources into one SQL database to
streamline and expedite reporting.
Professional Experience
WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, 2008 TO PRESENT
Mechanical Design Engineer
Acoustic and Fluid Dynamic Motor Department (2012 to Present)
. Closely partner with product engineers and process engineers to
develop best-in-class hard drives for desktop and enterprise products
with a constant focus on achieving optimal acoustic performance.
. Identify noise emission and vibration root cause according to
international standard ISO 7779, ISO 3744, and ISO 3745.
. Drive acoustic firmware optimization of HDD in multiple development
phases to ensure performance aligns with expectations.
. Perform hands-on testing using Artermis software to achieve top-
quality performance.
. Resourcefully used Visual Basic to create automated acoustic results
by data crunching.
Operation and Non-Operating Vibration Department (2011 to 2012)
. Conducted root cause of hard drive excitation in laptop compartment
within newly-established department.
. Formulated standard noise excitation test tools using Audio City open
source software.
. Scrutinized laptops' architectural designs and performed engineering
studies to identify potential vibration for laptop and desktop OEM
customers.
Track Mis-Registration (TMR) and Suspension Integration Department
(2008 to 2011)
. Executed laboratory test on piezoelectric transducer (PZT) and broad-
scope mechanical/electrical tests on new suspension design with
suppliers, product designers, process development team, and Asia
manufacturing team.
. Performed lab measurement and modal analysis via HP35670A Dynamic
Signal Analyzer, Ploytec LDV and high speed camera.
Continued...
Professional Experience continued ... Sivabalan Ganisen, Page 2 of 2
. Formulated automated acceleration life test (ALT) testing methods on
new design suspension.
. Conducted design verification of prototype parts and assemblies,
performance testing of drive mechanics, and data analysis of test
results including statistical regression, trend and distribution
analysis.
. Applied dynamic leadership expertise toward directing and supervising
staff in performing mechanical and reliability tests on dual stage
actuator.
Western Digital Corporation, Selangor, Malaysia, 2000 to 2008
R&D Associate Engineer
. Demonstrated exceptional talents throughout HDD manufacturing process
encompassing clean room, backend test, production data mining, root
cause failure analysis, yield improvement, performance
characterization and supplier audits.
. Delivered extensive engineering support for acoustic testing, assisted
in setting up new acoustic server, and contributed to development of
acoustic website with drill-down to disk drive component level for
precise monitoring of noise emission root causes.
. Prepared acoustic procedure and training material, and trained
technicians in proper equipment operation.
. Used SQL and Excel to generate weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly
acoustic reports base on disk drive components to facilitate trend
analysis.
. Implemented and established root cause of failures upon completion of
design of experiments (DOE).
. Leveraged statistical data analysis, t-test, normal distribution
analysis, and monitoring of Cpk and SPC to regulate assembly issues.
. Configured server using Linux operating system for storing multiple
disk drive testing data, vital to enabling trend analysis in Minitab.
. Participated in quarterly HDD component supplier audit with supplier
quality engineering team.
. Actively served on internal ISO 9001:2008 audit teams to ensure QMS
adhered to strict requirements.
Seagate Industries, Penang, Malaysia, 1992 to 1998
Calibration Technical Specialist
. Effectively calibrated computerized precise measurement equipment for
slider manufacturing, exhibiting outstanding abilities in equipment
set up and troubleshooting, GR&R (Gauge Repeatability and
Reproducibility), SPC monitoring, and spare part budgeting.
. Directed, supervised, coached, mentored and managed group of 10
technicians in troubleshooting and improving equipment downtime.
. Assembled technical training guides for new equipment set-up and
defined calibration methodology for Seagate Penang and Seagate Ipoh
manufacturing plants in Malaysia.
. As key member of yield improvement team, identified and resolved root
cause of equipment failure to minimize or eliminate impact to
production continuity.
Education
CERTIFICATE IN QUALITY ENGINEERING, INSTITUTE FEDERATION OF MANUFACTURING
MALAYSIA, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA, 2002
Certificate in Robotic and Automation Engineering, FRIS Institute, Penang,
Malaysia, 1995
Diploma in Electronics Engineering, TAFE Western Australia, Australia, 1991
Affiliations
MEMBER OF AMERICAN SOCIETY OF QUALITY
President of Malaysia Professional and Business Association (MPBA) in Bay
Area for term 2013 - 2014
Computer Skills
SOLIDWORKS; MATLAB; MINITAB; JMP; MICROSOFT OFFICE; ARTERMIS, BUSINESS
OBJECTS; VISUAL BASIC; SQL; C++; LINUX[pic]