Spring 2027 Co-Op - AI Systems Strategy

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.

WD's CTO System Architecture is at the forefront of defining the next generation of HDD storage technology. As a Co-op Engineer on the System Architecture team, you will work alongside senior engineers and technology leaders to shape long-range technology strategy, develop intelligent tools to manage complex engineering programs, and deliver competitive insights that inform critical business decisions.

This is a high-impact, high-visibility role suited for a graduate student who combines strong technical depth with a passion for systems thinking, data-driven decision making, and emerging technology.

Competitive Analysis & Intelligence

This role is part of WD's early career development program. WD’s early career development program is ideal for individuals at the early stages of their professional career. Participants receive foundational training through structured onboarding, mentorship, and a curated development curriculum. The responsibilities of this role are typically aligned with candidates who have approximately 0–2+ years of relevant professional experience, though candidates of all experience levels are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Assist with evaluating and documenting system architecture trade-off decisions across storage technology domains; Research and model performance, cost, and feasibility dimensions for emerging technology options; Support cross-functional architecture reviews and help synthesize findings into clear technical recommendations; Help maintain and evolve the team's technology roadmap tools and associated data infrastructure; Develop and improve data pipelines, dashboards, and visualization tools to support roadmap planning and gap analysis; Assist with technology maturation tracking across the component and system lifecycle (TCP0 through TCP2); Design and build AI agents to help manage technology projects, automate status tracking, and surface insights from large volumes of engineering and program data; Leverage LLMs, agent frameworks, and retrieval/tool integrations to prototype intelligent assistants for engineering workflows; Collaborate with the team to identify high-value automation opportunities within the technology development lifecycle; Research competitive storage technology trends, industry standards activity, and academic publications; Synthesize competitive intelligence into structured reports and briefings for senior technology leadership; Track key technology indicators (areal density, interface evolution, component trends) and benchmark against internal roadmap targets

Requirements

Currently pursuing a MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field; Strong analytical and systems thinking skills — ability to work through ambiguous problems and build structured frameworks; Experience with data analysis and visualization; Strong written and verbal communication skills — ability to present complex technical topics clearly to mixed audiences; Self-directed with the ability to manage multiple workstreams concurrently

Nice to have

Background or coursework in storage systems, computer architecture, or semiconductor technology; Experience building LLM applications, AI agents, agentic workflows, or ML systems; Experience with project management tools; Prior industry internship or co-op experience in a technology or engineering environment

Benefits

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 WD’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 WD'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 WD 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.