Internship, Systems Integration Engineer, Thermal Systems (Winter/Spring 2027)

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application:

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, 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.

About the team:

The thermal systems software team is seeking a systems integration engineering intern who will support new development of vehicle thermal systems on all Tesla vehicles. The intern will assist with software development, integration, and validation for new vehicle features to meet Tesla’s standards for safety and customer experience. Tesla thermal systems manage the temperature of critical powertrain systems like the battery, drive units, and charger. This role will focus on heating and cooling of the powertrain and vehicle cabin to deliver peak performance and efficiency. The intern will support initiatives to improve system robustness, introduce new hardware, enable new features, and refine overall performance by reviewing source code, root causing issues, and testing prototype implementations.

What You'll Do

• Assist design and development engineers to ensure subsystems meet requirements for specific vehicle functions
• Support breakdown of feature requests into subsystem requirements and contribute to implementation and testing
• Participate in validation strategy development and automated test coverage for firmware releases
• Collaborate cross-functionally to understand hardware changes and support them in firmware
• Analyze data and source code to help identify and debug system-level issues
• Support manufacturing and service teams during feature rollout and issue diagnosis

What You'll Bring

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field of study with a graduation date between May 2027 - May 2028
• Hands-on technical experience debugging complex systems involving networked microprocessors and software-controlled electrical or electromechanical devices
• Proven ability to use programming to solve challenging problems and increase own/team’s efficiency through automation
• Experience with C/C++
• Understanding of low voltage and high voltage circuits and how to debug them
• Experience with Python is preferred
• Experience with CAN and Vector CAN tools is preferred Experience with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment (HARA) is preferred

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

$36.06 - $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.

Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.