Internship, Safety Engineer, Vehicle Engineering (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 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 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.

Your application will be considered across all opportunities for the following teams:

Safety Team: Innovation at the Wheel Internship

Tesla's Safety Team is a dynamic group dedicated to redefining safety in electric vehicles and workplaces. They integrate cutting-edge technology, like AI-driven Autopilot features and real-time data analytics from Tesla’s global fleet, to enhance collision avoidance, structural integrity, and crashworthiness. The team collaborates across engineering, software, and design to set new industry benchmarks, earning top NHTSA and Euro NCAP ratings. Their work extends to manufacturing safety, ensuring Tesla’s Gigafactories adhere to rigorous standards, and cybersecurity, protecting vehicles from emerging threats. Joining Tesla’s Safety Team means tackling high-impact challenges at the intersection of innovation and mission-driven purpose. The culture fosters collaboration with industry-leading experts, offering opportunities to shape the future of transportation while working on visible, real-world solutions.

Occupant Safety and Restraints Internship

As a Mechanical Engineering Intern on the Occupant Safety and Restraints team, you will be responsible for the design, release, and launch of seat belt system components for current and future vehicle platforms. You will work under the mentorship of an experienced design engineer and report to the Engineering Manager of Occupant Safety and Seat Belt Restraints. The team is small and specialized, and the ideal candidate is driven with a passion to learn, takes on challenges independently, and has strong ethical decision-making skills to put the customer first, helping produce the safest vehicles in the world.

This role offers an opportunity to be involved in the full design cycle of high-volume seat belt components including conceptualization, detailed CAD design, testing, manufacturing, and implementation. You will work collaboratively alongside different vehicle design teams including interiors, body, firmware, and manufacturing to integrate your components into the final product. Tasks may include mechanical design and CAD work, testing, R&D projects, hands-on prototyping, and electro-mechanical system integration.

Safety and Restraints Internship

This position will work as a member of the Safety and Restraints team with the primary objective of supporting the design and implementation of passive safety systems in new vehicles. The successful candidate must have a strong engineering fundamentals background, preferably with a strength in passive safety, data acquisition, and/or data analysis.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field
• Experience in 3Dx or Catia V5, Python, LS-DYNA
• Experience with data acquisition equipment, accelerometers, pressure transducers, system design, and biomechanics
• Prior CAD part and assembly design experience through work or personal projects
• Previous experience in safety
• Experience in basic coding using Arduino, motor control projects
• Fundamental knowledge of manufacturing technologies and material selection
• Working knowledge of Design for Manufacturing, including familiarity with GD&T and dimensional engineering
• Previous hands-on experience with tools and machine shop equipment
• Previous electronics and electro-mechanical design including wiring, soldering, etc.
• Graphing experience using programs such as Hyperworks/Hypergraph
• Strong mechanical aptitude, ability to work with other teams to balance competing constraints/requirements, and a passion for system-level design and passive safety

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

Pay

Expected compensation: $20.00 - $50.00/hour + benefits. Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Schedule

• Full-time (40 hours/week)
• On-site
• Minimum 12 weeks