Systems Architecture Co-op - AI Systems Strategy

## Job Description 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: - 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 ## Qualifications 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 concurrentlyPreferred: - 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