Internship, Engineer, Cell Manufacturing (Spring 2027)

This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (i.e. through May 2027) or into Summer 2027 if available. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time and on-site. 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.

About the role

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.

Multiple locations possible: Palo Alto, CA; Fremont, CA; Austin, TX; Robstown, TX; Reno, NV; Toronto, ON.

Responsibilities

Qualified applicants may be reviewed by one or more of the following teams:

• Cell Engineering

  Contribute to the process improvement for Tesla Energy Batteries. Work with a multi-disciplinary Engineering team to support development and execution of DOEs, CAD modeling, fixturing, troubleshooting of controls, issue analysis, data acquisition, operator training, and technical documentation. Act as a bridge between Engineering and Production to improve processes.

• Manufacturing Engineering

  Contribute to the development and ramp of cell manufacturing equipment and processes. Work with cross-functional teams to test, validate, and roll out equipment to production. Focus on hands-on work, analytical ability, and organizational skills in a fast-paced environment.

• Tabless Manufacturing Engineering

  Work on developing and testing processes, installing and ramping new production machines, and troubleshooting issues affecting production runtime and quality targets for the jelly roll and current collectors in 4680 form factor battery cells.

• Manufacturing Engineer Mechanical Design

  Contribute to the design, installation, and ramp of battery cell manufacturing equipment. Work on designing and developing high-speed, automated manufacturing equipment and collaborate with cross-functional teams for testing, validation, and rollout.

• Pilot Cell Manufacturing Engineering Database

  Gain hands-on experience on pilot tools and contribute to the management of scaled-down, production-representative equipment for electrode and cell assembly. Support the R&D team in testing new concepts and gauging feasibility.

• Industrial Engineering

  Apply industrial engineering principles to create, develop, and improve manufacturing processes and flow. Work alongside cell manufacturing engineering teams to enhance safety, quality, throughput, and cost.

• Cathode AIO Internship
  • Learn and understand the anode and cathode calendaring and laminating process with subject matter experts.
  • Assist in data mining and correlation of variables using software programs to establish future process control limits.
  • Assist with programming control limits and HMI warnings to protect equipment and produce high-quality product.
• Pilot Anode/Cathode Engineering

  Support the pilot team in producing smaller-sized batches for internal on-site customers. Gain hands-on experience with pilot tools and an overall understanding of the battery manufacturing process.

• Cell Mixing Engineering

  Work in an innovative and fast-paced environment to maintain plant ramp plans with high-quality material delivery to calendaring for anode and cathode dry powder mixing.

• Inline Metrology Systems

  Support the development, commissioning, deployment, ramp, and optimization of inline metrology systems for cell manufacturing. Engage in system engineering activities such as design, fabrication, data processing, dashboarding, system testing, installation, and documentation.

• Powertrain Performance Modeling

  Support the development, commissioning, deployment, ramp, and optimization of inline metrology systems. Focus on achieving manufacturing readiness through activities like design, data processing, system testing, and material characterization.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Materials, Chemical, Electrical, Aerospace, or a related field.
• Experience with SolidWorks, Catia, CAD/AutoCAD, Revit, 3DX, or other 3D modeling software.
• PLC code programming and structure with Siemens, Beckhoff, or Rockwell PLC.
• Experience using MATLAB/Simulink for modeling physical systems.
• Knowledge of lithium-ion battery technology and electrochemistry.
• First-principle physics understanding of electrical and mechanical systems, power delivery, energy storage and transformation, and thermo-fluids engineering.

Benefits

• Medical plans with $0 payroll deduction options.
• Family-building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans with $0 payroll contribution options.
• 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 including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance.
• Commuter benefits.
• Employee discounts and perks program.