What are the responsibilities and job description for the Internship, Technical Program Manager, Vehicle Engineering (Summer 2026) position at Tesla?
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; Austin, TX; Sparks, NV
About Program Management In Vehicle Engineering
Technical program managers in Vehicle Engineering enable the company to deliver customer values by setting the right priorities in an environment with many competing priorities, executing and delivering on committed products, product revisions, features, fixes, and releases on-time. They enable the design and test teams to succeed and be efficient by resolving cross-team dependencies, raising the bar on cost, quality, and scalability, advocating for our customers, and identifying risks and holes. Program managers are explicitly outside the firmware/software, hardware engineering, and system test organizations. This enables them to be independent, cross-functioning, hold teams accountable and identify problems as they see them.
What You'll Do
Your application will be considered across all opportunities for the teams listed below:
Battery Engineering Battery Electronics Battery Manufacturing Cell Engineering Drive Systems Engineering Exteriors & Interiors Engineering Homologation & Passive Safety Engineering Safety & Restraints Engineering Structures Engineering
What You'll Bring
Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, Chemical Engineering or a related field Proven success as a leader through extracurricular activities, academic projects, passion projects, or equivalent experiences (proven automotive or sustainability interest is a plus) Experience in CAD, 3D Modeling, 2D engineering assembly drawings, PLM systems (Enovia, Solidworks PDM, Teamcenter), BOM management and creation Systems level thinker with evidence of driving product design optimization across products, disciplines and teams A detail-oriented personality with solid technical documentation and reporting skills Solid grasp on engineering fundamentals, such as thermal dynamics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, mechanics and electronics Experience solving open-ended engineering problems Motivated and active collaborator Proven interest in Tesla's mission to accelerate the world’s transition to 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:
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/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.
, Tesla
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; Austin, TX; Sparks, NV
About Program Management In Vehicle Engineering
Technical program managers in Vehicle Engineering enable the company to deliver customer values by setting the right priorities in an environment with many competing priorities, executing and delivering on committed products, product revisions, features, fixes, and releases on-time. They enable the design and test teams to succeed and be efficient by resolving cross-team dependencies, raising the bar on cost, quality, and scalability, advocating for our customers, and identifying risks and holes. Program managers are explicitly outside the firmware/software, hardware engineering, and system test organizations. This enables them to be independent, cross-functioning, hold teams accountable and identify problems as they see them.
What You'll Do
Your application will be considered across all opportunities for the teams listed below:
Compensation and Benefits
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:
$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.
, Tesla
Salary : $20 - $50