Fall 2026 PhD Intern - Hardware Development Engineering
About The Position
WD is building the infrastructure behind the AI-driven data economy. As AI scales, so does data. Every interaction, every model, every system generates data that must be stored, managed, and made accessible over time. That’s where we come in. We combine deep engineering expertise with global-scale manufacturing to deliver the storage systems that make AI possible, powering hyperscale data centers, cloud platforms, and enterprise infrastructure worldwide. This isn’t theoretical work. It’s real systems, at real scale, people solving some of the hardest challenges in technology today. We’re looking for people who want to build, solve, and operate at that level. Join us and let’s shape the future of data. We are inviting applications for an internship on the Hardware Development Engineering Team. Learn how to disposition non-critical layers and assign non-critical layers’ ownership to their daily routine disposition and trouble shoot for excursion related to their layers. Primary responsibility is to sustain layers own by their. Working with production to ensure smooth process for their layers. Photo process development work for new layers/future products, Work with mask management ME owner to help with day in day out work related to mask management. Help current ME to execute their projects, will be project by project case.
Requirements
- Currently pursuing or recently completed PhD in Engineering or Core Science (e.g., EE, ME, Physics, etc.)
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
- Ability to Quickly Ascertain a Situation and Determine What is Needed
- Strong Communication and Presentation Ability
Responsibilities
- Disposition non-critical layers and assign ownership.
- Perform daily routine disposition and troubleshoot excursions related to layers.
- Sustain layers owned by the intern.
- Work with production to ensure smooth process for their layers.
- Engage in photo process development for new layers/future products.
- Assist mask management ME owner with daily tasks related to mask management.
- Help current ME execute their projects on a project-by-project basis.
Benefits
- 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
- WD Savings 401(k) Plan
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
