Summer 2026 Intern - Advanced System Development Engineering - Hardware/Software

Western Digital • Irvine, CA

14h • Onsite

About The Position

At Western Digital, we’re not working on incremental updates—we’re building what’s next. As an Engineering Intern on our Advanced System Development team , you’ll work hands-on with next-generation Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology , contributing directly to how future data storage systems are designed, tested, and improved. This is a real engineering role , not a shadowing experience. You’ll run experiments, analyze data, debug issues, and collaborate with engineers who are actively shaping new technology. What You’ll Do Work hands-on with HAMR technology , supporting early-stage development and testing of next-generation storage systems Run bench experiments and characterizations , execute scripts, and help debug unexpected issues when systems don’t behave as expected Analyze engineering data using tools like MATLAB and Python to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement Build and maintain data pipelines and databases that help the team make informed technical decisions Collaborate closely with engineers across hardware, firmware, and system development—your input will matter Learn by doing : gain exposure to engineering, physics, and materials science as they apply to real-world products This position is part of our Early Career program at WD. Our Early Career program is designed to support individuals beginning their professional career by providing the foundational training through a structured onboarding, mentorship, and development curriculum.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field
• Expected graduation December 2026 or May 2027
• Comfortable working with data and scripts (MATLAB, Python, SQL, Excel, or similar tools)
• Curious by nature—you like figuring out why something works (or doesn’t)
• Strong communicator who enjoys working on a team
• Located within driving distance of our Irvine office (no relocation provided)
• Right to work in the US without requiring Western Digital to commence or sponsor an immigration case to employ you.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to hardware lab work (oscilloscopes, bench testing, characterization)
• Experience debugging scripts or analyzing experimental data
• Interest in storage systems, firmware, or hardware-software interaction

Responsibilities

• Work hands-on with HAMR technology , supporting early-stage development and testing of next-generation storage systems
• Run bench experiments and characterizations , execute scripts, and help debug unexpected issues when systems don’t behave as expected
• Analyze engineering data using tools like MATLAB and Python to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement
• Build and maintain data pipelines and databases that help the team make informed technical decisions
• Collaborate closely with engineers across hardware, firmware, and system development—your input will matter
• Learn by doing : gain exposure to engineering, physics, and materials science as they apply to real-world products

Benefits

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid vacation time; paid sick leave; medical/dental/vision insurance; life, accident and disability insurance; tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts; employee assistance program; other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity; tuition reimbursement; transit; the Applause Program; employee stock purchase plan; and the Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern