Internship, Mechanical Test Engineer, Vehicle Engineering (Summer 2026)

What To Expect
Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start around May or June 2026 and continue through the Summer term (ending approximately August 2026) or continuing into Fall 2026 if available and there is an opportunity to do so. We ask for a minimum of 12 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.

Multiple Locations Possible: Palo Alto, CA; Fremont, CA; Other locations within the San Francisco Bay area; Reno, NV

About The Team
We are a diverse, enthusiastic, and growing team of multi-disciplined engineers that further Tesla's mission of accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy by demonstrating the functionality, performance, and durability of new hardware designs.  As a test engineering intern, you will learn how to leverage hardware, firmware, and software solutions to validate Tesla products to rigorous internal and industry standards. We are interested in diverse candidates with all levels of experience, but we will prioritize curious and driven engineers with strong problem solving, communication, and collaboration skills. 

Your application will be considered across all opportunities for the teams listed below:

Thermal Management Test Engineering

Structures Test Engineering (Closures, Interiors, Exteriors, Vibrations, Chassis, etc.)

Power Electronics Manufacturing Test Engineering

Drive Unit Test Engineering

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) Test Engineering

Capability Development

Design For Reliability 

Battery Test Engineering

Low Voltage Test Engineering

Photo Instrumentation Technology

What You'll Do

Design and build custom test equipment using components such as linear actuators (pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric), motors, pumps, and general system design to make validation efficient, modular, and repeatable

Manage projects from initial concept through design, assembly, and final commissioning

Write and maintain test software to automate execution, data collection and analysis

Develop and maintain validation schedules to coordinate test resources and communicate status to program managers

What You'll Bring

Currently pursuing a Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Vehicle Engineering, Computer Science, Photographic Sciences or a related field

Proven technical experience through extracurricular activities, academic projects, passion projects, or equivalent experiences

Excellent grasp of engineering fundamentals with experience using hand tools, motors, actuators, power supplies, multimeters, and reading drawings

Eagerness to collaborate cross-functionally with other engineering teams, while working independently to drive large projects forward and overcome blockers; detail-oriented and execution focused

Genuine curiosity to figure out why something doesn’t work; troubleshooting the root-cause of an issue comes second nature to you

Love to be hands on, understand how to interact with a system and automate repeatable tasks. You thrive on efficiency and hate to see someone waste time on something a script, fixture, or robotic system could do automatically

Preferred Qualifications:

Coding experience, preferably Python, for test automation and data post-processing

Knowledge of different sensors, what they do, and how to interact with them

Design experience with CAD software such as CATIA, SOLIDWORKS, or Autodesk Inventor

Proven interest electric vehicles and/or sustainable energy, through extracurricular activities, academic projects, passion projects, or equivalent experiences

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 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/hour 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.

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