Howard Zolla

About Howard Zolla

Hands-on engineering Technologist and Manager with extensive expertise in Instrumentation, Data Analysis, Vacuum Technology, Equipment Engineering, Process Integration and Nanotechnology• Proven track record of leading R&D projects from research all the way to manufacturing• Creates intellectual property – 49 patents issued or pending see Turns data into actionable information with deep data analysis and statistics skillsSpecialties: Process Development, Metrology, Data Analysis, Process Integration, Thermal Processing, Laboratory and Process Automation, Roll to Roll Equipment, Yield Improvement, ALD, PVD, Reactive Sputtering, Thin Films, Solar Cells, Dielectrics, Group Management, Extensive computing skills – Data Analysis, Automation, JMP, SQL, VB, PHP

Experience

1. Director Advanced Reader Development

   WD

   Oct 2025 — Present · San Jose, CA, US

   Leading advanced reader development - Spintronics devices, exploratory patterning techniques

Education

• Harvard University

  PhD, Applied Physics

  1995

• Harvard University

  SM, Applied Physics

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  SB, Materials Science and Engineering

Skills

• Photovoltaics
• Nanomaterials
• Metrology
• Atomic Layer Deposition
• Yield
• Optics
• Design of Experiments
• Manufacturing
• Semiconductors
• Sputtering
• Solar Energy
• Thin Films
• Solar Cells
• R&D
• Jmp
• Pvd
• Spc
• Nanofabrication
• Cigs
• Thermal Processing
• Characterization
• Materials
• Vacuum
• Materials Science
• Failure Analysis
• Nanotechnology
• Ald
• Magnetics
• Process Integration