Summer 2027 Intern, Hardware Engineering

About the Role

WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy, delivering storage systems that power hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide. This role is part of WD's early career development program, offering foundational training through structured onboarding, mentorship, and a curated development curriculum.

Locations

• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Irvine, California
• Longmont, Colorado
• Fremont, California
• Rochester, Minnesota
• San Jose, California

Areas of Focus

ASIC Engineering

Design the silicon powering the future of data storage. Contribute to digital design, verification, simulation, and optimization for next-generation hard disk drives (HDDs).

• Key Responsibilities:
• Design and verify ASIC architectures and digital logic.
• Build simulations and validate complex hardware designs.
• Support the ASIC development lifecycle (architecture, synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure).
• Optimize performance, power, and reliability.
• Collaborate across hardware, firmware, and systems engineering teams.
• Technologies: ASIC Design, RTL, Verilog/SystemVerilog, Digital Logic, Verification, Simulation, Timing Analysis, Low-Power Design.

Hardware Development Engineering

Develop technologies to make modern data storage faster, more reliable, and higher capacity. Design, prototype, validate, and improve hardware.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Design and develop electronic hardware and magnetic recording systems.
• Create validation strategies and automated test solutions.
• Perform reliability, stress, and performance testing.
• Analyze circuit boards, processors, sensors, and other hardware components.
• Improve products from prototype through manufacturing.
• Technologies: Electronics, PCB Design, Signal Integrity, Hardware Validation, Reliability Engineering, Test Engineering, Data Analysis.

Firmware Engineering

Develop embedded software that controls advanced storage devices, working at the intersection of hardware and software.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Design, develop, and debug embedded firmware.
• Write software in C, C++, Assembly, and other low-level languages.
• Integrate firmware with analog and digital hardware.
• Troubleshoot hardware-software interactions.
• Improve system performance, functionality, and reliability.
• Technologies: Embedded Systems, C, C++, Assembly, RTOS, Hardware Interfaces, Firmware Validation, Debugging.

Systems Design & Integration Engineering

Integrate hardware, firmware, and software to create reliable, high-performing storage systems.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Define system requirements and technical specifications.
• Integrate hardware, firmware, and software components.
• Coordinate subsystem development across engineering teams.
• Troubleshoot complex system-level issues.
• Improve product performance, compatibility, and reliability.
• Technologies: Systems Engineering, Integration, Validation, Root Cause Analysis, Product Development, Cross-Functional Engineering.

Mechanical Design Engineering

Design precision mechanical systems for advanced storage products, from concept through manufacturing.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Design mechanical components, assemblies, and packaging.
• Develop prototypes and evaluate new concepts.
• Perform engineering analysis and design validation.
• Conduct testing to improve performance and reliability.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to prepare products for production.
• Technologies: CAD, Mechanical Design, Product Development, Prototype Testing, Design Validation, Manufacturing Engineering.

Equipment Engineering

Optimize advanced manufacturing equipment used to build storage technology.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Install, upgrade, and optimize manufacturing equipment.
• Improve equipment uptime, reliability, and process performance.
• Investigate equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
• Develop preventive maintenance strategies.
• Partner with manufacturing and process engineers to drive continuous improvement.
• Technologies: Automation, Manufacturing Engineering, Preventive Maintenance, Root Cause Analysis, Reliability Engineering, Continuous Improvement.

System-on-Chip (SoC) Engineering

Develop intelligent controllers for advanced storage products at the intersection of hardware, firmware, and silicon.

• Key Responsibilities:
• Design, integrate, and validate SoC components and subsystems.
• Develop and verify digital logic, interfaces, and IP blocks.
• Support simulation, debugging, and hardware bring-up.
• Analyze system performance, power, timing, and reliability.
• Collaborate with ASIC, firmware, hardware, and systems engineering teams.
• Technologies: SoC Architecture, RTL, Verilog/SystemVerilog, FPGA, Digital Design, Verification, Embedded Systems, Hardware Validation, Performance Optimization.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, Materials Engineering, Data Science, or a related engineering or technical discipline.
• Experience developing technical skills through coursework, internships, co-ops, research, laboratory work, capstone projects, hackathons, or personal projects in one or more areas such as software development, embedded systems, firmware, ASIC/SoC design, hardware development, systems engineering, mechanical design, manufacturing, automation, data analysis, testing, validation, or related engineering disciplines.
• Familiarity with engineering fundamentals and one or more relevant technical areas, including programming (C, C++, Python, Java, Go, SQL, JavaScript, or similar), digital logic, embedded systems, computer architecture, electronics, mechanical design, CAD, manufacturing processes, automation, testing, simulation, verification, debugging, data analysis, or systems integration.
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively in a cross-functional engineering environment.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with a passion for learning new technologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common software development tools (such as Git, Linux, or IDEs) is a plus.
• Interest in storage technologies, semiconductors, embedded systems, cloud computing, AI, data analytics, or other emerging technologies.