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 Summer 2025 if available. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time and on-site, for most internships.  

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. 

About the Team

In this role you will be responsible for upholding the fundamentals of Design Quality as the voice of the customer and for governing the definition of Design Intent through managing the process of approving appearance parts for color, harmony, and appearance quality. The Design Quality Team interfaces with the Design and Styling Team to illustrate design intent while collaborating with the Engineering Teams to ensure that quality is built into the part design. You will work with Tesla Supplier Industrialization (SIE) to manage the supply base for timing, documentation (AARs), and color and appearance harmony reviews as the champion of Tesla’s design intent. You will lead a team that interfaces with General Assembly Quality Engineers and Production Control to ensure standardization and quality are upheld throughout production. You will facilitate the sharing of best practices and lessons learned while prioritizing work in partnership with executives, operational leaders, engineers, associates, and other key stakeholders.  
 
The ideal candidate will possess high energy, flexibility, and excellent communication skills, with the ability to navigate compressed timelines and several cross-functional activities simultaneously. You will be expected to push beyond traditional limits, think creatively to find solutions to technical problems and inevitable delays to the effect of defining new processes and standards of the industry. This role is based Austin, Texas and may involve travel to supplier locations throughout the world.

What You’ll Do
Coordinate with the Design Studio/Color, Materials and Finishing Team on design intent for production 

Assist with mastering for production: sign-off of new masters once master standard is approved, match to master development as needed 

Support material development and manufacturing processes with consideration to benchmarking 

Interface with Engineering on DFM reviews and define appearance quality expectations 

Define appearance boundaries and outline quality improvement initiatives for manufacturing and production teams 

Interpret customer’s perception of quality through all senses, conveying objective feedback of appearance, haptics, sound, and fit 

Share institutional knowledge, verbalize design intent, and promote quality objectives throughout the organization 

Coordinate visual reviews for all appearance parts at various stages including vehicle harmony 

Manage Design Quality data (AAR) in supplier portal
Lead communications with texture suppliers for grained parts, defining grain maps, direction, reductions for draft angles, and zero parting line 

Oversee supply base timing for pre-grain, post-grain, and overall appearance of appearance parts 

Attend tool trials for appearance parts of plastic injection molding, casting, wrapping, filming, etc. 

What You’ll Bring
Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field 

Detail oriented and organized. Can manage data, timelines and tracking and follow through 

Strong communication skills, ability to be firm and flexible at the same time 

Ability to effectively communicate qualitative feedback 

Knowledge of Colorimeter 

Sensitive to appearance and color harmony 

Some experience and technical knowledge of different manufacturing processes for appearance parts 

Design oriented 

Familiarity with DFM 

Knowledge of automotive materials & automotive manufacturing

AUSTIN, Texas

Intern/Apprentice