Job Specifications
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.
We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, HDDs, and platforms for business, creative professionals, and consumers alike under our Western Digital®, WD®, and WD_BLACK™.
We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest-growth organizations in the world. From enabling systems to make cities safer and more connected, to powering the data centers behind many of the world’s biggest companies and hyperscale cloud providers, to meeting the massive and ever-growing data storage needs of the AI era, Western Digital is fueling a brighter, smarter future.
Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. Together, we can build the future of data storage.
Job Description
Join our innovative team in Irvine, United States for an exciting Summer 2026 internship opportunity as a Software Engineer specializing in Firmware development. This position offers a unique chance to gain hands-on experience in the cutting-edge field of embedded systems and firmware engineering.
Assist in the design and implementation of firmware for embedded systems and microcontrollers
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate firmware with hardware components
Participate in code reviews and contribute to the improvement of existing firmware
Debug and troubleshoot firmware issues using specialized tools and techniques
Develop and maintain documentation for firmware projects
Contribute to the optimization of firmware performance and power efficiency
Assist in the testing and validation of firmware updates and new features
Qualifications
Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
Strong programming skills in C and C++; familiarity with Assembly (MIPS,x86) language is a plus
Experience with embedded systems and microcontroller programming through academic projects or coursework
Familiarity with debugging tools and techniques for firmware development
Knowledge of version control systems, particularly Git
Basic understanding of computer architecture and hardware-software interfaces
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently
Effective communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative team environment
Ability to work on-site in Irvine, United States for the duration of the internship without relocation
Right to work in the US without requiring Western Digital to commence or sponsor an immigration case in order to employ you at any point in the future required
Previous internship experience in software engineering is preferred but not required
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.
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 inclus