What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chemical Operator Intern, Lithium Refinery position at Tesla and Careers?
Tesla's in-house Lithium Refinery, located in the greater Corpus Christi area of Texas, is critical to our mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. This investment aims to increase the supply of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in North America. We are seeking multiple Chemical Operator Interns to join our team and help further our mission. This position involves quality control sampling, equipment monitoring, troubleshooting, and loading/unloading finished goods and raw materials. Chemical Operators work on a rotating shift team, focusing on field and control room chemical unit operations to safely run process systems and associated equipment during their shift. Students selected for the program will temporarily pause their academic coursework to participate in a full-time, up to 16-week internship during the Fall 2026 semester. This internship provides students with hands-on experience in Tesla’s high-tech, fast-paced industrial environment. This will be a rotating Du Pont schedule with day and night assignments.
What You'll Do
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Understand Life Critical Policies and Hazard Recognition principles and effectively communicate to team members and work groups via safety meetings, job interactions, and work permit issuance
- Communicate with team members regarding safety, equipment status, production, quality, and operational issues using detailed written and electronic notes
- Operate equipment in accordance with all safety, quality, and efficiency standards by following written and verbal work instructions
- Follow procedures to safely operate, clear, startup, shut down, and Lock Out equipment related to chemical manufacturing safely and efficiently
- Provide initial response to unplanned events to minimize the impact on personnel, the environment, and equipment
- Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
What You'll Bring
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Ability to demonstrate experience or knowledge as a safe and proficient Chemical Operator in a 24/7 continuous refinery environment
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Must be a student of Del Mar College in the Process Technology Program and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.9 and have completed between 30 and 60 semester credit hours
- Transcripts will be requested
- Must have command of the English language, both written and verbal
Essential Physical Demands
- Ability to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time, up to 12 hours a day
- Ability to stand and walk for up to 12 hours a day, including over varied and uneven terrain
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Climb stairs, stand for extended periods of time, and safely lift up to 50 pounds
- Frequently and repetitively, bend, lift and reach
- Stoop, lay, bend, reach, squat, kneel, crouch, twist and crawl for extended periods of time, including up to 12 hours a day
- Climb and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolding or other high structures
- Ability to find issues in a work process and receive safety signals using sight, touch, or hearing
- Wearing Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to: PAPR, safety glasses, safety shoes, bump caps, and adhering to prescribed safety rules and guidelines
Compensation and 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
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.