The Pathfinder program is designed for students in:
Hardware engineering
Hardware engineers include electrical and mechanical engineers. At IBM, these professionals develop and support industry-leading hardware for IBM servers, storage and retail products; and, provide design services to our customers.
Hardware development engineers participate in various aspects of the development and test process. Engineers are involved in:
- Circuit or logic design
- Verification
- Synthesis
- Physical design/layout
- Simulation
- Performance modeling
- Chip integration
- Design methodology
- Power optimization
- Architecture
- Mechanical design
- Thermal analysis
- Technology integration
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Software engineering
Software engineers at IBM develop, test and provide service for many categories of software including operating systems, firmware, storage, applications and the IBM Systems products. Our products include z/OS, z/VM, i5/OS, and AIX. We produce leading-edge technologies in:
- Parallel computing
- Grid computing
- Virtualization
- Linux/kernel development
- Storage development/management
- Networking
- Internet technologies
Software engineering tasks include: code design/writing/porting, testing/debugging, customer support, interface and usability design, project management, and system/network administration.
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Technical communications
Technical writers are charged with creating clear, concise technical information that tells the user how to operate, maintain or service products. To be effective, technical writing must be accurate, easy to use and closely mapped to the user’s tasks and skill level.
IBM’s technical writers work closely with the product developers to thoroughly understand the product. They also team with technical editors, graphic designers, distribution specialists and human factors engineers to ensure that the technical documentation meets the needs of product specialists.
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Human factors
Human-factors engineers analyze, design, develop and verify human-machine interfaces for IBM hardware and software products. These professionals apply design principles and data derived from fields such as engineering, experimental and cognitive psychology, physiology and biomechanics. Human-factors engineers are responsible for:
- Defining user requirements
- Defining user-task scenarios
- Evaluating competitive products and alternative solutions
- Iteratively designing and analyzing hardware and software prototypes
- Designing experiments and surveys to test user performance and preference for designs
- Providing statistical analysis of experimental and empirical data
- Presenting recommendations to design teams and management
- Consulting with product design teams on ergonomic and usability concerns
- Creating user-centered design
The primary goal of all activities performed by human-factors engineers is to ensure that customers will find IBM products easy to use — helping to increase customer satisfaction and market share.
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Graphics and new media design
New media designers combine new technology, imagery and typography to communicate corporate messages and product information. Designers conjure ideas and implement these ideas in linear or non-linear, interactive media, including Flash animations, websites and/or machinimas that persuade, entice, and inform a specific audience. They are trained to prepare clear and concise recommendations through drawings, mockups, wireframes, storyboards, and verbal descriptions that achieve immersive solutions in a functional, elegant, appropriate, and economical manner. Training in both technical and aesthetic skills enables new media designers to achieve the optimal solution for each client.
Graphic designers use typography and imagery to communicate corporate messaging and product information through printed, environmental and electronic media. Designers conceive, plan and create design solutions that inform, persuade or entice a specific audience. They are trained to prepare clear and concise recommendations, through drawings, mockups, models and verbal descriptions that achieve visual solutions in a functional, elegant, appropriate and economical manner. Training in both technical and aesthetic skills enables graphic designers to achieve the optimal solution for each client.
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Industrial design
Industrial designers create and develop concepts and specifications that optimize the function, value and appearance of products and systems for the mutual benefit of both user and manufacturer. Industrial designers prepare clear and concise recommendations through drawings, models, and verbal descriptions. Working with human factors, engineering, manufacturing and marketing, they recommend ways in which product designs can use materials and technology effectively and comply with all legal and regulatory requirements.
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