Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start August or September 2026 and continue through fall term (ending approximately December 2026) or continuing into Winter/Spring 2027 if available and there is an opportunity to do so. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) 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 are dedicated to providing 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:
The Validation role in the Drive Systems: Embedded and Actuation team is pivotal in developing world-class tools and infrastructure for Hardware (HIL), Processor (PIL), and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing.
This is an opportunity to directly influence the software that powers electric vehicles and ensure that it’s of the highest quality. You'll be crafting the systems that test, validate, and scale the embedded software at the core of our innovative electric drive systems—systems that are changing the way the world moves. If you love solving complex technical challenges and want to make an impact on the rapidly evolving electric vehicle industry, this is the role for you.
Responsibilities
- Build cutting-edge validation infrastructure by creating automated Software-in-the-Loop (SIL), Processor-in-the-Loop (PIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) systems to ensure our software is rigorously tested and validated, delivering high confidence in every release
- Develop robust software tools by designing systems that support and streamline software development and testing, from scratch, empowering engineers to move faster and more effectively
- Develop models of physical systems to test firmware functionality against
- Automate manual processes such as regression testing, ensuring that our testing procedures are not only efficient but also repeatable, accurate, and reliable
- Create and execute board level test plans to expose weaknesses or faults
Requirements
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field of study with a graduation date between December 2026 - December 2027
- Excellent proficiency in Python or C
- Validation, testing, and debugging experience is preferred
- Experience with Rust or VHDL is a plus
- Scripting skills in other common languages is a plus (Perl, Shell, Bash)
- Experience with automation frameworks and build tools like Jenkins, Docker, or Buck2 that enhance and streamline testing and development processes
- Ability to read and understand circuit schematics, providing you with deeper insight into the hardware and system interactions a plus
Compensation and Benefits
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
$42.07 - $58.89 + 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.