Internship, Mechanical Design Engineer, Residential Energy Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027)
About the role
This internship is expected to start in January 2027 and continue through the Winter/Spring term (through April/May 2026) or into Summer 2027 if available. A minimum commitment of 12 weeks, full‑time (40 hours/week) on‑site is required. The position is located in Palo Alto, CA. International students whose work authorization is through CPT should consult their school before applying; many students are limited to part‑time during the academic year.
The Internship Recruiting Team is passionate about recognizing and developing emerging talent, placing students in positions where they grow technically, professionally, and personally while working closely with managers, mentors, and teams. Interns are included in projects critical to team success and experience life at Tesla.
Residential Energy Hardware Engineering: a close‑knit group of hands‑on mechanical and electrical engineers working amid regulatory requirements and competitors invested in the status quo. The team ignores the status quo, challenges rules where appropriate, and applies fundamentals‑only engineering to create the best products for home energy storage, EV charging, and solar integration, preparing residential electrical infrastructure for the future while fighting climate change.
Industrial Energy Enclosure Engineering: a small group of hands‑on mechanical engineers designing robust, reliable electronics enclosures for Tesla’s utility‑scale storage and Supercharging products. The team operates in a regulated environment, ignores the status quo, challenges rules where appropriate, and uses fundamentals‑only engineering to deliver top‑tier products.
Service Engineering: responsible for the engineering and project execution of solar and storage projects, as well as the overall health and performance of all Energy Products in the field. The team spans project design, power systems analysis, project management, construction estimating, data analysis, data infrastructure, and product engineering with diverse electrical and mechanical backgrounds. It sits at the intersection of business development, Tesla technology, and Energy Product deployment, enabling interns to help shape the success of Tesla’s global Energy business.
Responsibilities
- Full product design responsibility, from concept through production launch and ramp
- 3D design of complex parts and assemblies + FEA
- Advancing product performance while driving down cost and complexity
- Developing new technologies, supported with early process development
- Relentless improvement of existing products
- Hands‑on prototyping
- Specification definition (dimensional, functional, performance, manufacturing)
- Meticulous release of 2D part and assembly drawings
- Owning basic testing and analysis; supporting advanced testing and analysis
- Root causing test failures and production problems
- Collaboration with other teams inside Tesla (manufacturing, testing, NPI, supply chain)
- Close, active supplier relationships
- Travel to support production launch and ramp (supplier visits, on‑site at Tesla factories)
Requirements
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
- Strong engineering fundamentals in heat transfer, fluids, mechanics, and electronics
- Basic understanding of material science of components used in mechanical design (metals, insulators, plastics, connectors, gaskets)
- Desire to own a lot and work hard – small teams and fast timelines
- Demonstrated ability or ability to learn to create products: CAD design to hands‑on prototyping
- Direct machine shop skills a plus
- Detail‑oriented personality with solid documentation and reporting skills
- Experience with student Formula Vehicle, Solar Car, Hyperloop, etc. a plus
- Knowledge of GD&T, finite element analysis, and design for reliability concepts
- Experience with CATIA V5 or V6
- Working knowledge of Matlab or Python
- Basic understanding of electrical design fundamentals
Benefits
- 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: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Pay
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.