Vacuum Process Intern
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 15, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 14, 2026.
About our group:
This position will work with the Vacuum Deposition and Etch Process Engineering team at Seagate’s Normandale campus in Bloomington, Minnesota. The intern will support engineers who investigate, control, and optimize the capability of advanced vacuum process tools used in recording-head manufacturing. This work helps enable stable, high-yield manufacturing processes and supports the introduction, qualification, and continuous improvement of new technologies in the factory.
Seagate is a global leader in data storage technology and a major manufacturer of hard disk drives. The company designs and manufactures products that support the world’s growing need to store, move, protect, and use digital information. At the Normandale site, Seagate develops and manufactures critical recording-head components that are essential to hard drive performance, reliability, and capacity.
The Normandale facility operates advanced cleanroom manufacturing areas where precision, process control, and contamination prevention are critical. The Vacuum Process Engineering group at NRM is responsible for supporting and improving vacuum-based manufacturing processes such as physical vapor deposition, ion milling, reactive ion etch, annealing, and other related thin-film or material-removal processes. The group partners closely with equipment engineering, factory controls, metrology, yield engineering, integration, product development, and manufacturing operations to ensure processes are capable, repeatable, stable, and ready for production.
About the role - you will:
- The main project will focus on optimizing etch rates for multiple materials on our ion mill tool by evaluating angle, beam size, and residual roughness.
- Assist engineers with developing, implementing, and optimizing vacuum processes-including deposition, ion milling, reactive ion etch, and annealing-used in recording-head manufacturing.
- Learn how statistical process control (SPC) tools and out-of-control action plans (OCAPs) assist in controlling the processes used within our manufacturing line and creating documents related to the new etch rate recipes.
About you:
- Collaborative teamwork in a diverse environment
- Curiosity and drive to learn
- Analytical problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
Your experience includes:
- Have experience in a clean room environment.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze data and deliver your findings in a structured and coherent method to your peers and supervisors.
- Working towards a BS degree in Physics or any Engineer area.
You may also have:
- Interest in developing skills in Machine Learning, Generative AI, and Data Science
- Experience in the University lab.
- Experience in vacuum tooling used to deposit or remove materials from a substrate.
- Experience in metrology equipment or techniques.
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 $22 - $29/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.
Location: Normandale, United States
Travel: None