Hardware and Systems Development Interns - 2026 (Multiple Openings)

Job Description:

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.

Your role and responsibilities

As an intern, you will:
*Collaborate across disciplines to design, model, and validate next-generation hardware.
*Support mechanical, thermal, electrical, optical, and logic designs 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 or 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 - SolidWorks, CFD, FEM, design-for-manufacturing, 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, datacenter systems.
*Firmware & Automation - Embedded systems, firmware test, scripting, and hardware debug.
*Materials & Process Engineering - Composites, metallurgy, heat transfer, and process development.

Required education
High School Diploma/GED

Preferred education
Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

"*B.S. or M.S. student in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Materials, Chemical, Industrial, or related Engineering disciplines.
*Strong academic background with interest in hardware design, optics, logic, process, or materials engineering.
*Experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks, 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."

Preferred technical and professional experience

"*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