Thin Film Process Development Engineer Intern - Summer 2026

About our group:

Seagate is looking for an Intern to work with the Recording Head Operations Wafer Process Development group located in Bloomington, MN.

About the role - you will:

This intern will work with Process Development Engineers on the Reader Development Team to assist with process and materials characterization. The project will involve researching, developing, and characterizing dielectric and magnetic materials and materials processes for next generation thin film recording heads.

Specific projects will be determined when the summer begins, but could include any of the following:

• Evaluation of stress and breakdown voltage of new dielectric materials.
• Evaluation of interactions between reader stack cap materials and the reader formation processes including ion mill, icp etch, and sputter etch.
• Optimization of deposition conditions for new magnetic shield materials, including magnetic and electrical performance characterization.
• Materials characterization and process optimization for the reader magnetic layers and non-magnetic cap.
  
  

About you:

• Work effectively within both small and large teams, while taking initiative and executing on independent tasks to generate results.
• Familiarity and experience with thin film dielectric processing and characterization is critical.
• Talented engineer with a broad engineering background, a deeper understanding of vacuum deposition and etch processing.
• Learn quickly and adapt to changing priorities.
• Communication of results and issues effectively within our team, as well as collaborating well with other support, process and design groups is particularly important.

Your experience includes:

• Pursuing an MS or PhD in Science or Engineering (Physics, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry) and will be returning to school in Fall 2026.
• Thin film deposition using any of PVD, CVD, Evaporation
• Structural characterization using XRR/XRD
• Residual stress characterization
• Dielectric properties characterization like refractive index, breakdown voltage, dielectric constant
• Magnetic property characterization

Location:

Our Normandale campus spans two suburbs, Edina and Bloomington, and serves as the Recording Head development and manufacturing arm of Seagate. Located in the heart of a bustling community, Seagate offers an on-site café, or if you prefer, you can drive to one of many restaurants just minutes away. Need to grab a gift over lunchtime? Shopping is abundant in the area. If working out is your thing, the on-site fully equipped fitness center hosts wellness programs, outdoor activities, tournaments, and group workouts. Looking for something more laid back? Reset in one of our meditation rooms, or simply take a walk around our indoor walking path. On-site cultural festivals, celebrations, and community volunteer opportunities also abound. 

The estimated base wage range for this position is $35.00-43.00/hr. The individual base wage is based on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Seagate offers comprehensive benefits to its eligible Interns, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, and participation in the employee stock purchase plan.  Seagate also offers Interns 12 paid holidays and a minimum of 48 hours of paid sick leave.  The benefits for this position are based on a 24 to 40-hour-per-week schedule for a full calendar year and may differ depending on work location and tenure with the Company.

#internship 

Location: Normandale, United States
Travel: None