Hardware and Systems Developer Intern Rochester MN

Introduction

IBM Hardware and Systems engineers design and deliver the compute platforms that power the world's most advanced AI, cloud, and enterprise technologies. From silicon to system, our teams collaborate across mechanical, electrical, computer, materials, and firmware engineering to design, prototype, and test next-generation IBM hardware. We are seeking Hardware and Systems Development Interns to join our U.S. development labs for 2026.

These roles provide hands‑on experience in design, prototyping, testing, and process development across IBM's high‑performance systems portfolio.

As an intern, you will:

• Collaborate across disciplines to design, model, and validate next‑generation hardware and systems.
• Support mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, and logic design using CAD, EDA, and simulation tools.
• Participate in PCB layout, power and signal integrity, circuit design, firmware development, and system bring‑up.
• Conduct experiments, analyze data, and contribute to reliability, process, and materials development projects.
• Write scripts and automation tools using Python, C/C++, or Bash to support testing and validation.

You'll have opportunities to work in focus areas such as:

• Mechanical & Thermal Design
  - Solid Works, CFD, FEM, design for manufacturing, and reliability testing.
• Electrical & Logic Design - PCB/IC layout (Cadence, Allegro), digital logic, circuit, and system design.
• Optics & Photonics
  - Fiber optics, photonics, lasers (DFB, VCSEL), optical networking, and data center systems.
• Firmware & Automation
  - Embedded systems, firmware testing, scripting, and hardware debugging.
• Materials & Process Engineering
  - Composites, metallurgy, heat transfer, and process development.

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor's Degree

• B.S. or M.S. student in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Chemical, Industrial, or related Engineering disciplines.
• Strong academic background with an interest in hardware design, optics, logic, process, or materials engineering.
• Experience with CAD tools (Solid Works, AutoCAD, Allegro, Cadence) and/or simulation tools (CFD, FEM, HFSS).
• Programming experience with Python, C/C++, or Bash for automation or data analysis.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and teamwork skills.

• Experience with firmware development, test automation, or embedded systems.
• Hands‑on experience with lab tools (LabVIEW, MATLAB, oscilloscopes, thermal chambers, or optical test equipment).
• Familiarity with design‑of‑experiments (DOE) or project management in a research or lab environment.
• Experience in signal or power integrity modeling, optical systems, logic design, or materials process engineering.
• M.S. or Ph.D. students with research focus in electrical packaging, photonics, signal integrity, or thermal design are encouraged to apply.

IBM Systems helps IT leaders think differently about their infrastructure. IBM servers and storage are no longer inanimate - they can understand, reason, and learn so our clients can innovate while avoiding IT issues. Our systems power the world's most important industries and our clients are the architects of the future. Join us to help build our leading‑edge technology portfolio designed for cognitive business and optimized for cloud computing.

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to…