KYOUMARSS DAMAVANDI
San Ramon
Summary
Principal Engineer with 24+ years of experience across Seagate, Western Digital, and Quantum Corporation, specializing in HDD storage systems, HAMR media R&D, and large-scale design validation. Proven ability to drive innovation in next-generation recording technologies, lead global cross-functional engineering teams, and influence product strategy across distributed organizations. Deep expertise spanning system-level HDD design, advanced media development, and high-volume manufacturing support.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Engineering Roles
Western Digital & Quantum Corporation
01.1990
- Contributed to HDD system design, functional testing, and reliability engineering across multiple product generations.
- Developed strong foundational expertise in magnetic recording, materials behavior, and storage subsystem performance.
Principal Engineer
Seagate Technology
Fremont, CA
01.2001 - Current
- Lead research, concept development, and end-to-end design verification for next-generation HAMR media, driving advancements in thermal, magnetic, and materials performance to enable multi-terabit-per-square-inch areal density.
- Collaborate with HAMR media researchers while owning design validation and iterative design improvements, delivering measurable gains in media performance and achieving targeted maximum areal density for future HDD platforms.
- Serve as the primary technical interface between Fremont R&D and Seagate’s Singapore Media Factory, leading daily cross-site coordination to maintain product quality, accelerate yield improvements, and ensure smooth transition of HAMR media designs into high-volume manufacturing.
- Directed cross-functional and cross-site engineering collaboration across Seagate’s media design site and global HDD design centers, including Longmont, CO and Minnesota, aligning requirements, validation strategies, and design improvements across distributed teams.
- Supported global HDD product launches through extensive factory travel across Thailand, China, and Singapore, partnering with manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to resolve design, reliability, and yield issues during early-ramp production.
Education
Master of Science - Electrical Engineering
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, COBachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZSkills
- HAMR Media R&D (Concept → Design → Verification)
- System-Level Design, Functional & Reliability Engineering
- Cross-Functional & Cross-Site Technical Leadership
- Thermal/Optical Modeling, Magnetic Recording Physics
- Design Validation, Failure Analysis, Optimization
- Global Manufacturing Support (Asia)
- R&D ↔ Factory Integration & Yield Improvement
Certification
Completed extensive technical coursework and certifications over a 24-year career at Seagate, Western Digital, and Quantum Corporation, spanning HDD architecture, media technology, reliability engineering, advanced materials, magnetic recording physics, firmware and system integration, and leadership development.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Daily collaboration with Seagate’s Singapore Media Factory
- Global engineering experience across US, Thailand, China, and Singapore
- Contributor to next-generation HDD technology transitions
- Deep expertise in both system-level HDD design and advanced media R&D
Timeline
Principal Engineer
Seagate Technology
01.2001 - Current
Engineering Roles
Western Digital & Quantum Corporation
01.1990
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of Arizona
Master of Science - Electrical Engineering
Colorado State University