What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application:  

This position is expected to start around January or February 2025 and continue through the entire Spring term (i.e. through May 2025) or into Spring/Summer 2025 if available. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time and on-site, for most internships. Please consider before submitting an application. 

International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school on your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week on-site. Many students will be limited to part-time during the academic year. 

Internship Program at Tesla 

The Internship Recruiting Team is driven by the passion to recognize and develop emerging talent. Our year-round program places the best students in positions where they will grow technically, professionally, and personally through their experience working closely with their Manager, Mentor, and team. We are dedicated to providing an experience that allows the intern to experience life at Tesla by including them in projects that are critical to their team’s success. 

Multiple Locations Possible: Palo Alto, CA; Fremont, CA; Other locations within the San Francisco Bay area 

About the Team 

We are a diverse, enthusiastic, and growing team of multi-disciplined engineers that further Tesla’s mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy by demonstrating the functionality, performance, and durability of new hardware designs.  As a test engineering intern, you will learn how to leverage hardware, firmware, and software solutions to validate Tesla products to rigorous internal and industry standards. We are interested in diverse candidates with all levels of experience, but we will prioritize curious and driven engineers with strong problem solving, communication, and collaboration skills.  

Your application will be considered across all opportunities for the teams listed below: 

Thermal Management Test Engineering 

Structures Test Engineering (Closures, Interiors, Exteriors, Vibrations, Chassis, etc.) 

Power Electronics Manufacturing Test Engineering 

Drive Unit Test Engineering 

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) Test Engineering 

Capability Development 

Design For Reliability  

Battery Test Engineering 

Low Voltage Test Engineering 

Photo Instrumentation Technology 

What You’ll Do
Design and build custom test equipment using components such as linear actuators (pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric), motors, pumps, and general system design to make validation efficient, modular, and repeatable 

Manage projects from initial concept through design, assembly, and final commissioning 

Write and maintain test software to automate execution, data collection and analysis 

Develop and maintain validation schedules to coordinate test resources and communicate status to program managers 

What You’ll Bring
Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Vehicle Engineering, Computer Science, Photographic Sciences or a related field 

Proven technical experience through extracurricular activities, academic projects, passion projects, or equivalent experiences 

Coding experience, preferably Python, for test automation and data post-processing 

Knowledge of different sensors, what they do, and how to interact with them 

Design experience with CAD software such as CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, or Autodesk Inventor 

Proven interest electric vehicles and/or sustainable energy, through extracurricular activities, academic projects, passion projects, or equivalent experiences 

Excellent grasp of engineering fundamentals with experience using hand tools, motors, actuators, power supplies, multimeters, and reading drawings 

Eagerness to collaborate cross-functionally with other engineering teams, while working independently to drive large projects forward and overcome blockers; detail-oriented and execution focused 

Genuine curiosity to figure out why something doesn’t work; troubleshooting the root-cause of an issue comes second nature to you 

Love to be hands on, understand how to interact with a system and automate repeatable tasks. You thrive on efficiency and hate to see someone waste time on something a script, fixture, or robotic system could do automatically

Fremont, California

Intern/Apprentice