Spring 2027 Co-Op - AI Systems Strategy

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. What You'll Do: System Architecture Support • 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 Technology Roadmap & Data Management • 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) AI Agent Development • 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 Competitive Analysis & Intelligence • 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 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. Required: • 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 Preferred: • 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 WD 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, childbi