Summer Intern - AFM Software and Data Analytics Development

Seagate Technology; BLOOMINGTON (MN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site café

Fitness center

Meditation rooms

Cultural festivals

12 paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Seagate Technology is seeking an intern to develop software for nanoscale AFM measurements and data analytics. You will collaborate across software, microscopy, materials science, and process engineering to translate measurement needs into software requirements and real-time analyses.

The role emphasizes building data pipelines, real-time parameter analysis, and robust validation against probe wear, with opportunities to present findings to technical stakeholders and contribute to practical

Qualifications

• Strong programming and software-development skills in Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar languages.
• Experience with data structures, algorithms, signal processing, data visualization, statistics, ML, or real-time data acquisition.
• Ability to organize, visualize, and interpret image, spectral, sensor, or time-series data.
• Proficient in writing maintainable code with version control, documentation, testing, and debugging.

Responsibilities

• Translate measurement needs into software requirements and experimental plans with AFM scientists and engineers.
• Develop algorithms to detect probe degradation during tapping-mode AFM scanning.
• Create software to acquire and analyze AFM parameters in real time and alert when probe wear is detected.
• Build data-processing and visualization methods for AFM topography, signals, and time-series data.
• Develop data pipelines, feature extraction, and statistical analyses with robust thresholds.
• Document software outputs, validation results, and recommendations for stakeholders.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C++

Data analytics

Machine learning

Education

Currently enrolled in CS/SE/DS/EE/ME/Materials Science Fall 2027

Tools

Git

AFM control

LabVIEW

Job description

About Our Group

Our advanced materials and surface-analysis team develops nanoscale measurement capabilities that support HDD transducer technology and manufacturing process development.

About Our Group

Our advanced materials and surface-analysis team develops nanoscale measurement capabilities that support HDD transducer technology and manufacturing process development.

We work at the intersection of software, data analytics, atomic force microscopy, materials science, and process engineering. This internship is designed for a student with a strong software background who is interested in applying programming and analytical skills to scientific instrumentation and materials applications.

You will develop software and data-analysis methods for real-time monitoring of AFM probe wear during tapping-mode scanning, helping improve measurement reliability and operator decision-making.

About The Role - You Will

• Work with AFM scientists, materials specialists, software engineers, and process engineers to translate measurement needs into software requirements and experimental plans.
• Identify tapping-mode AFM signals that are sensitive to probe sharpness or changes in tip radius and develop algorithms to detect probe degradation during scanning.
• Develop a software-based approach to acquire and analyze selected AFM parameters in real time, identify indications of tip wear, and notify the operator when probe replacement may be needed.
• Build data-processing and visualization methods for AFM topography, instrument signals, probe-condition indicators, and time-series measurements.
• Develop reliable data pipelines, feature-extraction methods, statistical analyses, and decision thresholds for experimental and time-series data.
• Work hands-on with AFM measurements, reference samples, and controlled experiments to validate software outputs against probe condition and changes in tip radius.
• Investigate relationships among scan conditions, probe wear, image quality, and measurement stability to improve detection robustness.
• Document the software, methods, validation results, and recommendations, and present findings to technical stakeholders.

About You

• You have a strong interest in software development, data analytics, and solving technical problems with code.
• You are excited to apply software skills to laboratory instruments, nanoscale measurements, and materials applications such as AFM.
• You are comfortable learning unfamiliar scientific concepts and working with domain experts to convert physical problems into measurable signals and software solutions.
• You approach open-ended problems through structured experimentation, careful data analysis, and iterative software development.
• You take ownership of your work, independently drive progress, and communicate evidence-based conclusions clearly.
• You enjoy collaborating across software, microscopy, materials science, process engineering, and manufacturing.

Your Experience Includes

• Strong programming and software-development skills using Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar languages.
• Experience with data structures, algorithms, signal processing, data visualization, statistical analysis, machine learning, real-time data acquisition, or application development through coursework, research, internships, or projects.
• Ability to organize, process, visualize, and interpret image, spectral, sensor, or time-series data.
• Experience writing maintainable code and using good development practices such as version control, documentation, testing, and structured debugging.
• Interest in applying software and analytics to scientific instrumentation, laboratory experimentation, materials characterization, or manufacturing technology. Prior materials-science or AFM experience is helpful but not required.
• Experience with AFM, microscopy, instrument control, graphical user interfaces, databases, or scientific computing is preferred but not required.
• Current bachelor's or master's student in computer science, software engineering, data science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, applied mathematics, physics, mechanical engineering, materials science, or a related field and must be enrolled in Fall 2027 classes.

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 $27.00-37.00/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