What are the responsibilities and job description for the Internship, Cell Qualification, Cell Engineering (Fall 2026) position at Tesla Motors, Inc.?
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start around August or September 2026 and continue through the Fall term (endingapproximately December 2026) or continuing into Winter/Spring 2027 if available and there is an opportunity to do so. We ask for a minimum of12 weeks, full-time 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 Cell Qualification team develops test methods to characterize and qualify cell designs for all Tesla products. Our mission is to help Tesla make the best cell technology decisions rapidly and with confidence. This position will collaborate with various teams within Cell Engineering to understand test lab operations and help optimize them. A successful candidate will apply first-principles thinking to improve the framework that is used to qualify every cell design, and knowledge of software tools to help implement it. We are looking for a self-motivated candidate with an interest in battery technology, and who thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Multiple Locations Possible: Palo Alto, CA; San Diego, CA
What You'll Do
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand testing requirements and timelines
Design and implement test profile for targeted cell requirements with first-principle understanding of battery behavior and fleet representativeness
Implement data parser to for automatic data analysis and establish data pipelines to link the designed test to database
Participate in team meetings, seek feedback, and gain hands-on experience in full-stack development and the project management lifecycle
Quantify error for test, determine methods to reduce this error, and implement these methods in our standard operating procedure
Work closely with technicians to reduce complexity of testing procedures while maintaining or improving accuracy and precision of the measurement
Hands on lab testing
Analyze electrochemical data to determine measurement accuracy and precision
Work closely with modeling team to provide testing framework and results that can be consumed by and compared to existing model
Create a script in Python that can take in image files and output key test metrics
What You'll Bring
Currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Nano Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field
Programming experience with Python
Experience writing Python scripts for data processing and analysis
Experience with designing/prototyping/testing lab equipment, and PCB design
Direct experience working with Li-ion batteries
Previous internship experience in an R&D environment (or equivalent)
Significant, demonstrated technical contributions towards past projects
First principles understanding of engineering concepts with relevant project/research experience
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Ability to work independently on multiple projects with complex requirements
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
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.
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.
Salary : $20 - $50