Internship, Equipment or Process Engineer, Manufacturing (Winter/Spring 2027)

This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (ending approximately May 2027 or later, if available). We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site. Our internship program is for students who are actively enrolled in an academic program. International students: if your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school on your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying.

About The Team

Your application for the Equipment Engineer or Process Engineer Internships will be considered across all opportunities for the following teams:

• Manufacturing Equipment Engineer: The Manufacturing Equipment Engineer Intern is primarily responsible for the design of equipment, maintenance procedures, tooling retrofits, performance improvements, and deployment of new processes/equipment. The selected candidate assumes full ownership of specific equipment technologies and maintaining them for use with the highest standards of safety, quality, and output. The intern works closely with Tesla’s internal Product Design, Operations, Safety, Facilities, Quality, Maintenance, and Process Engineering teams and coordinates cross-functional activities for day-to-day problem solving.
• Process Engineer: The Process Engineering Intern will implement, develop, and optimize production methodologies in manufacturing operations. They will optimize product flow through process optimization, including tool/fixture selection, line layouts, ergonomic study, material presentation, and other relevant factors. They will also focus on material flow and layout optimization to enhance efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, and improve overall throughput. The intern will interface with design, test, and quality engineering to solve problems, improve manufacturability, and implement continual improvement, sustaining products with cost reduction and yield improvements. They will work with quality to compile and evaluate data to determine appropriate limits and variables for process or material specifications.

Multiple locations possible: Austin, TX; Buffalo, NY; Fremont, CA; Lathrop, CA; Sparks, NV.

Responsibilities

• Design and own equipment to meet operation requirements and specifications for new launches and sustaining projects.
• Create equipment drawings, specs, quotes, and purchase requisitions ensuring designs are compatible with production processes.
• Develop expertise in manufacturing processes through critical data analysis and in-depth product and process knowledge; understand process capabilities and develop specifications for assembly, storage, and specialized line display equipment.
• Support the Design for Manufacturing team.
• Utilize Design for Manufacturability/Assembly (DFM/DFA) principles for design of equipment, ensuring early manufacturing considerations are integrated into the design cycle.
• Analyze and optimize production processes to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), quality, yield, capacity, and capability while ensuring safety and driving cost-effective continuous improvement projects.
• Design and modify line layouts, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality, safety, rate, downtime, and manpower; set targets and lead projects from product conception through production launch.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement using lean manufacturing tools (value stream mapping, line balancing, 5S, waste reduction) to optimize processes, reduce waste, and improve product flow and line efficiency.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Design, and Quality Engineering teams to define, qualify, and track new processes, including associated work instructions, equipment, tools, materials, and training.
• Develop FMEAs and Control Plans while ensuring high levels of safety, ergonomic compliance, and process control; characterize baseline system performance and drive actions to improve quality and equipment availability.
• Define and oversee Factory and Site Acceptance Tests (FAT/SAT) of manufacturing equipment; develop knowledge of automation systems, robotics, PLCs, and data collection; work with vendors to resolve failures, implement equipment modifications, establish preventive maintenance schedules, and train technicians/operators.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Must be self-managed and committed to working in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on experience is a must.
• Professional and positive communication skills.
• Previous internship and/or project experience is a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret basic mechanical drawings and electrical schematics.
• Knowledge of machining and manufacturing processes; understanding of engineering materials and processes.
• Proficient in CAD software (AutoCAD for 2D layouts for Process Engineer, SolidWorks or similar modeling software for 3D CAD design and drawings for Manufacturing Equipment Engineer).

Benefits

As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:

• Medical plans with multiple plan options, including a $0 payroll deduction option.
• Family-building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both with a $0 payroll contribution option.
• 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.

Pay

Expected compensation: $27.76 - $43.75/hour + benefits. Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.