3D Design, Analysis Skills, Assembly Drawings, CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing), CATIA CAD, Climate Change, Compensation and Benefits, Electrical Design, Electricity, Electronics, Energy Engineering, Finite Element Analysis, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, Health Plan, Heat Transfer, MATLAB, Machining, Manufacturing, Material Science, Mechanical Design, Mechanical Engineering, Mentoring, Orthodontics, Payroll Tax, Process Development, Product Design, Product/Service Launch, Production Support, Prototyping, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Regulatory Requirements, Reliability Analysis, Requirements Management, Stock Purchase Plans, Supply Chain, Talent Management, Technical Support, Technical/Engineering Design, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Vision Plan, Willing to Travel
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start August or September 2026 and continue through fall term (ending approximately December 2026 or later, if available). We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site, for most internships. Our internship program is for students who are actively enrolled in an academic program. Recent graduates seeking employment after graduation and not returning to school should apply for full-time positions, not 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 provide an experience that allows the intern to experience life at Tesla by including them in projects that are critical to their team's success.
The Residential Energy Hardware Engineering team is a close-knit group of hands on mechanical and electrical engineers. We work in a space crowded with regulatory requirements and competitors and suppliers often invested in the status quo. Our team's job is to ignore the status quo, challenge rules where appropriate, and implement fundamentals-only engineering to make the absolute best products possible to provide energy storage, EV charging, and solar integration to the home. Our mission is to get the residential electrical infrastructure ready for the tumultuous future ahead, deliver value in our products which make people happy, and fight climate change while we're at it.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Full product design responsibility, from concept through production launch and ramp
- 3D design of complex parts and assemblies + FEA
- Advancing product performance while driving down cost and complexity
- Developing new technologies, supported with early process development
- Relentless improvement of existing products
- Hands-on prototyping
- Specification definition (dimensional, functional, performance, manufacturing)
- Meticulous release of 2D part and assembly drawings
- Owning basic testing and analysis; supporting advanced testing and analysis
- Root causing test failures and production problems
- Collaboration with other teams inside Tesla (manufacturing, testing, NPI, supply chain)
- Close, active supplier relationships
- Travel to support production launch and ramp (supplier visits, on-site at Tesla factories)
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Strong Engineering fundamentals in heat transfer, fluids, mechanics, and electronics
- Basic understanding of material science of components used in mechanical design (metals, insulators, plastics, connectors, gaskets)
- Desire to own a lot and work hard - we have small teams and fast timelines
- Demonstrated ability or ability to learn to create products: CAD design to hand on prototyping
- Direct machine shop skills a plus
- A detail-oriented personality with solid documentation and reporting skills
- Experience with student Formula Vehicle, Solar Car, Hyperloop etc. a plus
- Knowledge of GD&T, finite element analysis and design for reliability concepts
- Experience with CATIA V5 or V6
- Working knowledge of Matlab or Python
- Basic understanding of electrical design fundamentals
Benefits
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:
- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans. Both have an option with a $0 payroll contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company Paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Expected Compensation
$20.00 - $50.00 + benefits
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.