Summer 2026 Intern - Software Engineering (Firmware)

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Western Digital is hiring a Summer 2026 Intern in Software Engineering (Firmware) for onsite work in Irvine, CA, as part of its Early Career program. You’ll join an advanced team tackling heat assisted magnetic recording HAMR and firmware challenges by designing, developing and testing firmware, collaborating to define requirements, writing clean C/C++ code, and building Python scripts for test automation, with code reviews and solid documentation. The ideal candidate is pursuing a BS or MS in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering or a related embedded systems field and will graduate in Dec 2026 or May 2027, and must be able to work onsite without relocation. Key priorities: hands-on embedded experience, UART and peripherals knowledge, RTOS or BSP basics, Git, and test-driven development, plus strong communication and teamwork. To apply, tailor your resume to embedded projects, highlight relevant coursework and internships, demonstrate problem solving, and show your interest in hardware software integration and lifelong learning, including AI assisted coding tools.

Company Description

The future. It’s on you. You & Western Digital.

We’ve been storing the world’s data for more than 50 years. Once, it was the most important thing we could do for data. Now we’re helping the world capture, preserve, access and transform data in a way only we can.

The most game-changing companies, consumers, professionals, and governments come to us for the technologies and solutions they need to capture, preserve, access, and transform their data.

But we can’t do it alone. Today’s exceptional data challenges require your exceptional skills. It’s You & Us. Together, we’re the next big thing in data. 
 
Western Digital® data-centric solutions are found under the G-Technology™, HGST, SanDisk®, Tegile™, Upthere™, and WD® brands.

Job Description

WDC  is a leading innovator in Enterprise Storage. We are looking for a passionate and skilled Firmware Engineering Intern to join our advanced development team for the summer (Irvine, CA). This position provides students with a unique opportunity to work on real-world problems with our latest technology and gain valuable industry experience in firmware development. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Dive into building the next generation of heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology. Unleash your creativity and technical skills on new designs.
• Assist in designing, developing, and testing firmware solutions
• Collaborate with the engineering team to define firmware requirements and specifications.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code in C/C++ or other relevant languages.
• Participate in code reviews and adhere to firmware coding standards.
• Debug and troubleshoot firmware issues in embedded systems.
• Conduct and participate in testing sessions to ensure firmware performance and reliability.
• Develop Python scripts for test automation, log parsing, and data checks.
• Document development processes and maintain firmware documentation.

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to work on challenging firmware development projects in a real-world setting.
• Guidance and mentorship from experienced engineers.
• A collaborative, innovative, and inclusive work culture.
• Networking opportunities with professionals in the field.

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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on embedded systems or firmware development graduating in Dec 2026 or May 2027.
• Must have the ability to work onsite without relocation assistance
• Strong programming skills in C, C++, python and familiarity with embedded systems.
• Understanding of microcontrollers, peripherals, and interface protocols (e.g., UART).
• Familiarity with software testing practices and test-driven development
• Experience or willingness to learn AI-assisted coding and development tools
• Experience with version control tools like Git.

Preferred:

• Prior internship or project experience in firmware or embedded systems is highly desirable.
• Basics with RTOS concepts, or BSP

Skills:

• Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Additional Information

Western Digital is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants and employees and will not discriminate 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 Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster.

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 [email protected] 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.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

#LI-MT

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 [email protected].