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.
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Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.
Job Description
This internship opportunity is in Western Digital's Research organization, which tackles advanced long-horizon problems related to data storage, computation and communication. In addition to supporting magnetic storage and memory roadmap of Western Digital, we are focused on several key areas that are well aligned with our existing experimental and theoretical skills, and existing laboratory facilities
Western Digital Research has a number of projects for ambitious graduate students. Our group has projects emphasizing either embedded AI inference or the design and testing of superconducting quantum computing qubits. Depending on the skills of the student, the responsibilities may be divided into one of two tracks.
Track 1:
As an Intern in Quantum Computing, your project will require several of the following tasks:
- Assist in the design and testing of superconducting quantum computing qubits
- Collaborate with team members on quantum computing experiments and simulations
- Propose and simulate laboratory test structures for evaluating the performance of our qubit designs
- Analyze and interpret experimental data using various data analysis and visualization tools
- Participate in the development of quantum information theory concepts and applications
- Assist in the preparation of research reports and presentations
- Engage in literature reviews to stay updated on the latest advancements in quantum computing
- Support the team in maintaining and calibrating quantum computing equipment
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate quantum computing solutions with other technologies
- Participate in regular team meetings and contribute ideas for project improvements
- Assist in documenting research findings and maintaining accurate records of experiments
- Contribute to the development of quantum error correction techniques
Track 2:
As an intern in Embedded AI Inference, your project will require several of the following tasks:
- Assist in the fine-tuning and optimization of AI models for embedded systems
- Implement and test machine learning algorithms on various hardware platform
- Create error models to simulate the impact of noise or circuit variability in analog inference accelerators
- Contribute to the design of efficient neural network architectures for resource-constrained devices
- Collaborate with the team to improve inference speed and accuracy on embedded devices
- Participate in data collection, preprocessing, and augmentation for AI model training
- Assist in the evaluation and benchmarking of AI models on different embedded platforms
- Contribute to the development of firmware tools and frameworks for embedded AI deployment
- Support the integration of AI models with embedded software and hardware systems
- Engage in literature reviews to stay updated on the latest advancements in embedded AI
- Assist in the preparation of technical documentation and research reports
In either track, you will be part of a broader collaborative team, which places strong emphasis on communication skills and team spirit, in addition to strong technical skills.
Qualifications
Skills of general applicability to either track:
- Currently pursuing a PhD degree in Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to think critically
- Experience with data analysis and visualization tools
- Strong attention to detail and ability to work efficiently in a team-focused environment
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
- Proficiency in version control systems (e.g., Git)
- Familiarity with agile development methodologies
- Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to new technologies quickly
Technical skills applicable to the Quantum Computing Track:
- Strong foundation in quantum computing principles and quantum mechanics
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Q#, or Qiskit
- Solid understanding of linear algebra and its applications in quantum computing
- Basic understanding of quantum information theory
- Academic projects, coursework or other experience in quantum computing, RF circuit design, or other superconducting device physics is preferred
- Familiarity with quantum error correction techniques
- Experience with quantum circuit design and optimization
Technical skills applicable to the Embedded AI Inference Track:
- Strong background in machine learning and deep learning algorithms
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or TensorFlow
- Experience with embedded systems and microcontrollers
- Familiarity with AI model optimization techniques for resource-constrained devices
- Knowledge of computer architecture, digital logic design and and hardware-software co-design
- Experience with signal processing and digital signal processors (DSPs)
- Understanding of low-power design principles for embedded systems
- Familiarity with AI frameworks such as TensorFlow Lite, ONNX Runtime, or LLVM MLIR
- Some experience with FPGA programming is preferred
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 here.
Western Digital thrives on the power and potential of diversity. As a global company, we believe the most effective way to embrace the diversity of our customers and communities is to mirror it from within. We believe the fusion of various perspectives results in the best outcomes for our employees, our company, our customers, and the world around us. We are committed to an inclusive environment where every individual can thrive through a sense of belonging, respect and contribution.
Western Digital is committed to offering opportunities to applicants with disabilities and ensuring all candidates can successfully navigate our careers website and our hiring process. Please contact us at jobs.accommodations@wdc.com to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 01/14/2025 (3 months from posting), although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.
Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 04/13/2026, although we reserve the right to close the application process sooner if we hire an applicant for this position before the application deadline. If we are not able to hire someone from this role before the application deadline, we will update this posting with a new anticipated application deadline.
Compensation & Benefits Details
- An employee’s pay position within the salary range may be based on several factors including but not limited to (1) relevant education; qualifications; certifications; and experience; (2) skills, ability, knowledge of the job; (3) performance, contribution and results; (4) geographic location; (5) shift; (6) internal and external equity; and (7) business and organizational needs.
- The salary range is what we believe to be the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range is only applicable for jobs to be performed in California, Colorado, New York or remote jobs that can be performed in California, Colorado and New York. This range may be modified in the future.
- If your position is non-exempt, you are eligible for overtime pay pursuant to company policy and applicable laws. You may also be eligible for shift differential pay, depending on the shift to which you are assigned.
You will be eligible to be considered for bonuses under either Western Digital’s Short Term Incentive Plan (“STI Plan”) or the Sales Incentive Plan (“SIP”) which provides incentive awards based on Company and individual performance, depending on your role and your performance. You may be eligible to participate in our annual Long-Term Incentive (LTI) program, which consists of restricted stock units (RSUs) or cash equivalents, pursuant to the terms of the LTI plan. Please note that not all roles are eligible to participate in the LTI program, and not all roles are eligible for equity under the LTI plan. RSU awards are also available to eligible new hires, subject to Western Digital’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
- 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.
- Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
Notice To Candidates: Please be aware that Western Digital and its subsidiaries will never request payment as a condition for applying for a position or receiving an offer of employment. Should you encounter any such requests, please report it immediately to Western Digital Ethics Helpline or email compliance@wdc.com.