Summer 2026 Intern - Hardware Development Engineering - Tape Head Development

Company Description

At Western Digital, our vision is to power global innovation and push the boundaries of technology to make what you thought was once impossible, possible.

At our core, Western Digital is a company of problem solvers. People achieve extraordinary things given the right technology. For decades, we’ve been doing just that—our technology helped people put a man on the moon and capture the first-ever picture of a black hole.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, and WD_BLACK™ brands.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.

Job Description

Position Overview:

We're inviting motivated graduate students to apply for our Hardware Development Engineer Internship. In this role, you will gain invaluable experience with advanced measurement technologies, including UV microscopes and Picoscale laser interferometers, focusing on the measurement and analysis of magnetic recording heads. This internship is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the innovation and development of data storage technology.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Use state-of-the-art equipment to measure the span of magnetic recording heads, applying your skills in UV microscopy and laser interferometry.
• Accurately measure head deformations (both in-plane and out-of-plane) using advanced interferometry techniques.
• Conduct hands-on measurements on critical components like rowbars and modules, deepening your understanding of data storage hardware.
• Analyze measurement data using software tools such as MatLab and JMP to identify patterns and correlations, informing future technology developments.
• Propose experimental projects based on your findings, contributing to the improvement of measurement methods and our understanding of magnetic recording technologies.
• Use of AFM/MFM to characterize Tape head performance/design.

Why This Internship?

This position is more than an internship; it's a gateway into the field of hardware development for data storage solutions. You'll work alongside experts in a dynamic environment that bridges theoretical knowledge with practical application. This internship will enhance your engineering skills, prepare you for a future career in the tech industry, and give you the opportunity to contribute to meaningful technological advancements.

Qualifications

Academic Path: We're looking for Masters students poised to graduate between December 2026 and June 2027, from disciplines such as Electrical Engineering (EE), Physics, Mechanical Engineering (ME), or Computer Science (CS). Your educational journey is key to bringing fresh perspectives to our team.

Technical Proficiencies: In our work, proficiency in MatLab, Solidworks, and programming languages like C or Python is highly valued. These skills are instrumental in navigating the challenges and opportunities in our projects. If your toolkit includes experience with Autodesk Eagle or Arduino IDE, we're excited about the diverse insights you can bring.

Lab Experience: Hands-on experience with lab equipment, such as digital voltmeters (DVMs), oscilloscopes, and familiarity with soldering and working on detailed components, enriches our collaborative projects. If you've engaged with CNC mills, routers, 3D printers, or soldering stations, your practical knowledge will greatly contribute to our team.

Innovation Drive: A passion for robotics, microcontrollers, and a drive to apply these interests in real-world scenarios are qualities we cherish. Your enthusiasm for exploring new technologies and solving complex problems is what we aim to support and develop further.

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 perso