Damian Jahn is a senior QA engineer at Xperi and the chair of the Early Professionals @ Xperi employee resource group (ERG). With several years of experience in testing, mentoring, and leading learning initiatives, he’s passionate about helping early‑career professionals build strong foundations, grow their skills, and feel at home in the company. In this interview, Damian shares how the Early Professionals ERG supports interns and emerging talent at Xperi.
Q: What is the Early Professionals ERG, and why does it exist?
As the ERG chair of Early Professionals, my role is to help represent and support people who are relatively new to the company — interns, recent graduates and early‑career professionals. Our mission is to equip emerging professionals with the skills and guidance they need to succeed at Xperi and beyond by providing opportunities for professional and personal development. We aim to cultivate an environment where diverse talent can thrive, innovate and confidently shape their futures within our organization.
In practice, the ERG exists because early‑career talent often faces a similar set of challenges: adjusting to a new workplace, navigating company culture, building networks and figuring out how to grow within a large organization. We want to make that transition smoother and more intentional, so people don’t just “figure it out on their own,” but feel supported from day one.
Q: How does the company support interns and early‑career hires?
There are several layers to how Xperi supports interns and early‑career professionals, and the ERG works closely with HR, recruiting and people managers to reinforce that support.
From the start, there is a structured onboarding and orientation process that helps interns and new hires understand how the company works, how teams collaborate, and what success looks like in their roles. On top of that, we encourage early‑career people to participate in cross‑functional events, mentorship programs and internal training sessions that strengthen both technical and soft skills.
The ERG complements this by organizing workshops and informal meetups where early professionals can connect with peers, ask questions and share experiences. We also act as a feedback channel: when interns or early‑career hires tell us about gaps or pain points, we work with the right teams to improve policies, processes and the overall experience for the next cohort.
Q: What makes a strong internship experience here?
A strong internship at Xperi is one where interns feel connected, challenged and visible.
First, a strong experience is built on meaningful work. Interns should be given real projects that contribute to a team’s goals, not just small, isolated tasks. They should also be included in team meetings, stand‑ups and design discussions so they understand how their work fits into the bigger picture.
Second, guidance and feedback matter a lot. A good mentor or manager checks in regularly, offers constructive feedback, and helps the intern set clear goals and learning outcomes. The ERG supports this by encouraging mentors to think about development, not just delivery, and by creating safe spaces where interns can speak up if they’re unsure or need help.
Finally, a strong internship helps people build relationships. When interns get to know teammates, cross‑functional partners and leaders, they feel like part of the community. That sense of belonging is usually what people remember most when they look back on their internship.
Q: What would you say to a student considering applying?
If you’re a student or recent graduate thinking about an internship or an early‑career role at Xperi, I would say: don’t underestimate yourself or your potential to contribute.
Xperi is a place where early‑career professionals can have a real impact, not just observe from the sidelines. You don’t need to be perfect on day one; you need to be curious, open to feedback, and willing to ask questions. The company and the Early Professionals ERG are here to help you grow, so take advantage of the mentors, communities and learning opportunities available.
If you care about innovation, want to work with smart and supportive people, and are excited about building skills that will last your whole career, this is a great environment to start. I’d encourage you to apply thoughtfully, highlight what you’re genuinely interested in learning, and be ready to show your enthusiasm for contributing and growing with the team.
We’re currently hiring for QA engineering and software engineering interns. To see all of our open positions, visit our Careers page.
