Summer 2025 Intern, Process Engineering (CMP Focus)

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.

We are a key partner to some of the largest and highest growth organizations in the world. From energizing the most competitive 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.

Binge-watch any shows, use social media or shop online lately? You’ll find Western Digital supporting the storage infrastructure behind many of these platforms. And, that flash memory card that captures and preserves your most precious moments? That’s us, too.

We offer an expansive portfolio of technologies, storage devices and platforms for business and consumers alike. Our data-centric solutions are comprised of the Western Digital®, G-Technology™, SanDisk® and WD® brands.

Today’s exceptional challenges require your unique skills. It’s You & Western Digital. Together, we’re the next BIG thing in data.

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Summer Intern to join our Process Engineering team specializing in Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP). This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in semiconductor manufacturing processes while contributing to critical projects aimed at improving production efficiency and tool performance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Top Ring Data Analysis:
  • Compare retaining ring thickness measurements for both new and old Top Rings (pre-swap, post-swap, and delta measurements).
  • Analyze and correlate degradation rates for different slurry types.
  • Determine the optimal lifetime hours for each slurry tool’s Top Ring to minimize sigma drift and ensure process stability.
• Tool Optimization:
  • Evaluate the impact of slurry delivery locations on CMP tools on the enhancement of Top Ring Rotation speed (TRR)/Turn Table Rotation Speed (TTR) and slurry usage.
  • Aim to increase TRR/TTR through strategic testing and data-driven analysis.
• Data Analysis and Process Improvement:
  • Perform comprehensive data mining and analysis to identify trends, correlations, and opportunities for process improvements.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish actionable recommendations.

Support and Collaboration:

• Work closely with experienced process engineers and stakeholders.
• Engage with an assigned ML/Data Engineer for data mining and analysis support.

Learning Outcomes:

• Undergo a comprehensive performance evaluation at the end of the internship, culminating in a presentation to stakeholders summarizing findings, challenges, and contributions.
• Gain practical experience in data-driven process engineering within a high-tech manufacturing environment.
• Develop critical problem-solving skills by analyzing complex datasets and identifying optimization opportunities.
• Build knowledge of semiconductor manufacturing tools, methodologies, and best practices.
• Enhance collaboration and communication skills by working with diverse technical teams.

This internship offers a valuable opportunity to make meaningful contributions to ongoing process development and optimization efforts. Join us and gain the experience needed to jumpstart your career in semiconductor process engineering.

REQUIRED

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS or Ph.D degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Graduation date between December 2025 and June 2026 is preferred. 
• Candidates based in the San Jose area will be prioritized in the process. 

SKILLS

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with data analysis tools (e.g., Python, JMP, Excel) is a plus.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Interest in semiconductor manufacturing and CMP processes.

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 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 March 31, 2025, 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.