SSD Firmware Engineer Intern (Bachelors, Summer 2025)

Company Description

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

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025 at 11:59pm PST (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. 

NOTE: This role is specifically for our Milpitas, CA office. If you are interested in other sites, please apply to the appropriate job posting. 

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At SanDisk, we are passionate about creating solutions that preserve and manage the world’s most valued data. Our Firmware Engineering team plays a critical role in designing and optimizing the software that powers our Solid-State Drives (SSD). As an SSD Firmware Engineer Intern, you will work on real-world projects that directly impact our cutting-edge storage solutions while gaining valuable industry experience. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with firmware engineers to design, develop, and test embedded software for SSDs 
• Contribute to the implementation of features related to error correction, data recovery, power management, and performance optimization 
• Debug and troubleshoot firmware issues using tools like logic analyzers, emulators, and debuggers 
• Work with cross-functional teams, including hardware and software engineers, to ensure seamless integration of firmware with hardware components 
• Perform unit testing and validation of firmware against established benchmarks and scenarios. 
• Assist in documenting firmware design, testing processes, and codebase changes 
• Research and present innovative solutions to improve storage device efficiency, reliability, and performance 

Areas of focus for our SSD Firmware Engineers include but are not limited to:  

• Firmware Design and Algorithms 
• Firmware Development 
• Firmware Validation 
• Firmware Verification 

Qualifications

Required:

• Current student pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or related field with a graduation date of May/June 2026 
• Interest and curiosity for Solid State Drives (SSDs) and NAND Flash memory 
• Available to work a 12-week, full time internship during May/June - Aug/Sept 2025 

Preffered: 

It’s helpful if you meet one or more of the following qualifications, but it isn't a requirement. 

• Proficiency in C/C and Python for embedded systems.  
• Understanding of microcontrollers, peripherals, and interface protocols 
• Familiarity with languages such as SQL, Angular, Rust, and MATLAB.  
• Familiarity with software development, testing methodologies, and fundamental electrical engineering principles. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment. 

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: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (dol.gov)

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.

Based on our experience, we anticipate that the application deadline will be 04/03/2025 (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.

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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 participate in Western Digital’s Short-Term Incentive (STI) Plan, 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.