Internship, Thermofluids Analyst Engineer, Energy Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027)

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start January 2027 and continue through the entire Winter/Spring term (i.e through April/May 2027) or into Summer 2027 if available. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site, for most internships.

International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week. Many students will be limited to part-time during the academic year.

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.

Tesla Energy is bringing battery, solar, and charging technologies to the grid, establishing new industries and defining the future of renewable energy ecosystems. This team is at the forefront of how we will generate, distribute, and consume power today and in the future. Our team is composed of individuals who are fast-moving, self-motivated, who love to solve difficult problems, and are team players.

As a thermofluids analyst on the Safety Systems Design Team, you will model and drive the design of battery energy systems in abusive and thermal-runaway scenarios to ensure and maintain Tesla’s robust safety record. You will explore physical phenomena and design sensitivities against Tesla’s core safety requirements. You will be the first-principles, physics-based guide to create an end-to-end safety case for our products.

The role is collaborative and cross-functional, requiring extensive interfacing with teams including systems engineering, parallel design teams, electrical/firmware engineering, and abuse testing, to name a few. This role requires the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to design battery systems that are at the core of Tesla’s success.

Location: Palo Alto, CA

What You'll Do

• Own in-depth modeling of gas distribution, combustion dynamics, and thermal propagation to drive design concepts and detailed design decisions for the new and existing Tesla Energy battery systems
• Balance physics-based 1D analytical models with higher fidelity CFD/FEA and empirical approaches to efficiently drive product safety design and performance
• Anchor and relate modeling results to test data to validate models and ensure accuracy of safety performance
• Collaborate with design engineers to iterate on design strategies and optimize performance/system metrics at the detailed component and system level
• Support programs through the entire life cycle including spec development, modeling, prototype builds, test, and production
• Support execution of system safety FMEA and design validation plans, in collaboration with parallel validation and safety test engineering teams

What You'll Bring

• Currently pursuing a Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Excellent first principles understanding of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, combustion dynamics, and thermodynamics with relevant experience
• MATLAB and/or Python experience for building physics-based 1D models
• Strong fundamentals in FEA/CFD with demonstrated experience. Experience with STAR CCM, FDS, and FLACS strongly preferred
• Experience modeling, testing, and designing batteries or similar high-energy, safety-critical systems
• CAD modeling experience preferred
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and practical design limitations
• Ability to relate modeling results to design ramifications and product-level impacts
• Collaborative team player with strong technical communication and bias towards action-oriented solutions

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

$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.

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.