Tesla

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application: 

This position is expected to start around August or September 2025 and continue through the Fall term (ending approximately December 2025) or continuing into Winter/Spring 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. 

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

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

Expected Compensation

$20.00 - $50.00 + 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 is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, 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.

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