System Software Engineering - PhD Intern - Oregon, Hillsboro, United States
$149,598 - $149,602 USD yearly
Originally posted 25 September 2026 by the employer.
This internship offers an opportunity to engage in software development and optimization work within the LTD CMT Litho Tools organization.
About the role
As a System Software Engineering PhD Intern, you will contribute to the design, development, and validation of system software across multiple layers of the software stack, including firmware, drivers, operating systems, and middleware. This role focuses on optimizing Intel platforms and technologies for specific domains and market segments.
What you'll do
- Design, develop, and validate system software across firmware, drivers, operating systems, and middleware layers.
- Collaborate on cross-stack software optimization for platforms and technologies.
- Contribute to reference platform development for targeted domains and market segments.
- Engage in hands-on projects that explore new methodologies and solutions in system software engineering.
- Learn and apply technical knowledge while building career-relevant skills in a collaborative environment.
What you'll need
- Currently pursuing a PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or Mathematics.
- 1 year programming experience in C/C++, Java, or Python.
Nice to have
- Project experience in Computational geometry, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Numerical optimization, or scientific computing.
- Flexibility to work a 3-month internship during the Summer of 2027.
- 3.5 or higher GPA.
Skills: firmware, drivers, operating systems, middleware, C/C++/Java/Python
This role has been open 20 days — well below the 60-day median for Systems Software Engineering roles.
Systems Software Engineering · Systems Software
|
Open roles in category
692
|
Median days open
60 d
|
Median salary
$213k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | Intel Corporation | All employers we track in this specialty (692 roles · 71 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 8 | 692 |
| Open roles in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family | 201 | 6156 · 145 employers |
| Median days open | 30 d | 60 d (−30 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $213k |
Skills observed across this category: firmware, drivers, operating systems, middleware, C/C++/Java/Python
Who's hiring in this category
- Qualcomm · 172 open roles · median 78 d
- NVIDIA · 135 open roles · median 48 d
- AMD · 63 open roles · median 50 d
- Mobileye · 27 open roles · median 71 d
- Broadcom · 21 open roles · median 52 d
- Arm Holdings · 20 open roles · median 113 d
How we counted: 692 open Systems Software Engineering (Systems Software) roles from 71 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 16 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family row. Figures refresh nightly.