Summer Intern - AFM Software and Data Analytics 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. 
 
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Location: Normandale, United States
Travel: None