A magnetoresistive sensor having a hard bias layer with an engineered magnetic anisotropy in a direction substantially parallel with the medium facing surface. The hard bias layer may be constructed of CoPt, CoPtCr or some other magnetic material and is deposited over an underlayer that has been ion beam etched. The ion beam etch has been performed at an angle with respect to normal in order to induce anisotropic roughness on its surface for example in form of oriented ripples or facets. The anisotropic roughness induces a uniaxial magnetic anisotropy substantially parallel to the medium facing surface in the hard magnetic bias layers deposited there over.