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.

About the Team

As an Automative Photographer and Digital Retoucher intern at Tesla, you will be responsible for the photography of our vehicles and other Tesla products. In addition to photography, you will also digitally retouch images. You will be part of the team that creates and executes world-class content including graphic design, branding videos, photography, and more.

Using your photography experience and innovative thinking, you will be tasked with working with the team in photographing and retouching our products and other photography needs, but you may also be called upon for other tasks (pre-production, scouting, on-set assistance) based on your skillset.

Locations: Tesla Design Studio - Hawthorne, CA

What You’ll Do

• Photograph and retouch digital imagery of Tesla vehicles and a variety of Tesla products (Solar Roof, Solar Panels, Merchandise, Vehicle Accessories, Lifestyle)
• Collaborate with various departments to execute photography projects, such as factory teams and engineer testing teams and ability to operate within the content team and independently
• Identify and solve problems within digital imagery with the available tools
• Some projects will require you to work with sales, engineers, digital modelers, architects, and other professionals within the company
• Participate in cross-functional strategy, timing, and process discussion as it pertains to the brand and our visual design principle
• Work cross-functionally with key stakeholders of other disciplines
• Occasionally participate in design efforts outside of your area of expertise as necessity and as your own skillset dictates

What You’ll Bring

• Currently pursuing a degree in a relevant area
• Proficient in Photo hardware and editing software (Adobe Creative Suite, VirtualRig, CaptureOne, CameraRAW, Lightroom, etc.)
• Excellent at creating and maintaining cross-functional working relationships and exceptional visual and oral communication skills
• Must be self-motivated and able to manage multiple parallel-path projects and demonstrated an ability to deliver successful content under tight timing constraints and provide examples of such scenarios throughout career
• Excellent capabilities of automotive photography (interior and exterior), and full comprehension of photography, including lighting, camera hardware, studio and on-site experience
• Excellent capabilities of digital retouching, specifically for automotive imagery (interior and exterior)
• All candidates MUST submit a portfolio/personal website to be considered for this position

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.

For quick access to screen reading technology compatible with this site click here to download a free compatible screen reader (free step by step tutorial can be found here). Please contact accommodationrequest@tesla.com for additional information or to request accommodations.

Privacy is a top priority for Tesla. We build it into our products and view it as an essential part of our business. To understand more about the data we collect and process as part of your application, please view our Tesla Talent Privacy Notice .