Summer 2025, Robotics & Automation Controls Engineering Internship

Company Description

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At Western Digital, we are on a mission to unlock the potential of data so people, companies and organizations everywhere can create what’s next. To fulfill our vision, we are always on the lookout for potential team members who share our passion for solving problems to empower others.

When you join Western Digital, you join a legacy more than 50 years in the making. Across our Western Digital®, SanDisk®, SanDisk® Professional, WD® and WD_BLACK™ brands, we have brought some of the most storied advancements in memory and data storage technology to market—and our best, most innovative work is yet to come.

From energizing gaming platforms, to enabling systems to make cities safer and cars smarter and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and public cloud, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Here’s how you can help.

Job Description

Western Digital Media Test Engineering team in San Jose, CA is seeking a Robot & Automation Controls Engineering Summer Intern who is highly motivated to work in a challenging and dynamic engineering environment. The media test team is responsible for the development and implementation of hardware/software/process/automation solutions in R&D environment, implementing those solutions at worldwide manufacturing sites, along with sustaining activities.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, program and integrate robotic automation systems for manufacturing environment.
• Develop, debug & sustain control software for PLCs, conveyors and robotic controllers that integrate with broader automation solutions.
• Perform robot path programming and optimization to ensure precise and efficient operations.
• Support system commissioning, including testing and troubleshooting robotic and control systems.
• Document technical designs, programming logic, and operational processes for automation and robotic systems.
• Analyze system performance and recommend improvements for efficiency and reliability.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Hands-on experience with engineering projects, including internship, academic, extracurricular, or personal projects. 
• Participation in engineering organizations or competitions
• Familiarity with data analysis tools such as Excel, Tableau, or similar.
• Currently enrolled in a Master’s in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics or Automation Engineering

SKILLS:

• Familiarity with robot programming platforms such as Epson RC+, SPEL+ or Adept V+.
• Experience with PLC programming and related HMI development.
• Knowledge of Automation integration with vision systems (e.g., Keyence or similar)
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, etc.
• Familiarity with motion control systems, including servo drives, VFDs, and actuators.
• Understanding of feedback systems and PID tuning for robotics and automation.
• Be able to troubleshoot complex systems, including identifying and resolving hardware or software integration issues.
• Strong team collaboration and communication skills for working in multidisciplinary environment.
• Eagerness to learn and apply new tools, technologies, and methodologies.
• Knowledge of industrial safety standards, including robotic safety

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on their race, color, ancestry, religion (including religious dress and grooming standards), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), gender (including a person’s gender identity, gender expression, and gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person’s assigned sex at birth), age, national origin, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital status (including domestic partnership status), physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, protected medical and family care leave, Civil Air Patrol status, military and veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the characteristics listed above. Our non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of employment. We comply with the laws and regulations set forth in the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” poster. Our pay transparency policy is available