Masters Intern – Machine Learning & Optimization For Industrial Engineering And Materials Science

Company Description

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®, WD_BLACK™, and SanDisk® Professional brands.

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

Western Digital’s Big Data Technology & Industrial IoT team is seeking Masters-level interns passionate about applying Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Optimization techniques to real-world problems in manufacturing, process control, and materials science. You will work on AI-driven models that enhance the reliability, yield, and sustainability of next-generation Hard Disk Drive (HDD) products — from materials characterization to factory optimization.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement predictive and optimization models for process yield, tool drift detection, and material performance using Deep Neural Networks, Gradient Boosting, or Graph Neural Networks.
• Apply Reinforcement Learning, Bayesian Optimization, or Evolutionary Algorithms to optimize process parameters, throughput, and energy consumption in high-volume manufacturing.
• Clean, preprocess, and augment large-scale sensor and experimental data. Interface with simulation tools (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS) and integrate surrogate ML models for fast inference.
• Collaborate with data scientists, materials engineers, and process automation teams across global manufacturing sites to translate research into deployable solutions.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Machine Learning, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or related disciplines.
• Strong programming skills in Python, with experience in PyTorch, TensorFlow, Scikit-learn, Pandas, and Numpy.
• Knowledge of optimization algorithms, statistical modeling, and feature engineering.
• Exposure to time-series, image, or multi-modal data.
• Familiarity with Bayesian methods, Reinforcement Learning, or hybrid physics-informed ML is a plus.
• Strong analytical mindset with curiosity for bridging AI and physical sciences.

Learning Outcomes

• Experience in applying ML/DL to real industrial datasets and physical systems.
• Exposure to Digital Twin and Cognitive Factory frameworks for process optimization.
• Hands-on experience with cutting-edge ML infrastructure (GPU clusters, MLOps pipelines).

Additional Information

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.

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].