What are the responsibilities and job description for the Internship, Federal Policy (Winter/Spring 2026) position at Tesla?
What To Expect
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start January 2026 and continue through the entire Spring 2026 term (through April/May 2026). We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks at 40 hours per week, for this internship.
International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school on your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying. Again, please do not apply until you know you can work 40 hours per week. This is required for external applicants. 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 emerging talent. Our year around program places the best students in positions that they will grow both technically and personally through their experience working closely with their Manager, Mentor, and team. We provide an experience that allows for the intern to experience life at Tesla by giving them projects that are critical to their team’s success.
Tesla is seeking a highly motivated student to intern on our Federal Policy Team in Washington, DC. Tesla’s Federal Policy Team drives advocacy efforts to advance the company’s mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy, with a focus on all our businesses from electric and autonomous vehicles to energy products. During the initial phase of the internship, the intern will rotate through key areas of the Federal Policy Team’s work, such as legislative tracking, regulatory analysis, and stakeholder engagement, to gain a comprehensive understanding of federal policy and advocacy. The second phase will focus on a specific policy area or project related federal issues. A capstone deliverable, such as a presentation, research report, or policy brief, will be presented at the completion of the internship, culminating the experiences gained and lessons learned.
What You'll Do
Engage with various internal functions across Tesla’s policy teams. Bring “First Principle Thinking” to learn and drive operational efficiencies Partner internally to rethink established processes and systems to support new and evolving business models Act as a resource for researching federal policy and regulatory questions internally Support Tesla’s mission to Accelerate the World’s Transition to Sustainable Energy through your performance and daily execution
What You'll Bring
Exceptional analytical skills An ability to communicate clearly to technical and non-technical audiences A capacity to create written reports, proposals, processes, and presentations The ability to make rational and logical decisions An ability to work in a fast-paced environment and deliver high quality results Prior related work experience is desired, including co-op/intern programs with a focus on government, policy, supply chain, or business.
Benefits
Compensation and Benefits
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:
Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Employee Assistance Program Sick time after 90 days of employment 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
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start January 2026 and continue through the entire Spring 2026 term (through April/May 2026). We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks at 40 hours per week, for this internship.
International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school on your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying. Again, please do not apply until you know you can work 40 hours per week. This is required for external applicants. 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 emerging talent. Our year around program places the best students in positions that they will grow both technically and personally through their experience working closely with their Manager, Mentor, and team. We provide an experience that allows for the intern to experience life at Tesla by giving them projects that are critical to their team’s success.
Tesla is seeking a highly motivated student to intern on our Federal Policy Team in Washington, DC. Tesla’s Federal Policy Team drives advocacy efforts to advance the company’s mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy, with a focus on all our businesses from electric and autonomous vehicles to energy products. During the initial phase of the internship, the intern will rotate through key areas of the Federal Policy Team’s work, such as legislative tracking, regulatory analysis, and stakeholder engagement, to gain a comprehensive understanding of federal policy and advocacy. The second phase will focus on a specific policy area or project related federal issues. A capstone deliverable, such as a presentation, research report, or policy brief, will be presented at the completion of the internship, culminating the experiences gained and lessons learned.
What You'll Do
Compensation and Benefits
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for: