About the role#
Join the Optimus robotics team to work on humanoid bipedal robots. This role sits at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, controls, and software engineering. You will help design and develop robots intended for automation. You will work on core robotics evolution, focusing on optimizing powertrains and enhancing the capabilities of robotic limbs.
What you'll do#
- Build physics-based models for robots.
- Develop robot controllers and system architectures.
- Create conceptual designs for bipedal robots.
- Model kinematic chains and system dynamics.
- Convert joint mechanisms into rigid body trees.
- Improve the transfer from simulation to real-world performance.
- Use model-informed design to support new mechanism development.
- Measure and match models to physical data to close the gap between simulation and reality.
- Simplify complex controls to allow for faster analysis.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Computer Science.
- Graduation date between May 2027 and May 2028.
- Experience developing physics-based multibody system models for electro-mechanical systems from scratch.
- Proficiency in multibody dynamics modeling and simulation.
- Strong programming skills in C++ or Python.
- Knowledge of control systems, including motor controls, linear systems analysis, and stability.
- Understanding of kinematics, inverse and forward dynamics, and position or torque control.
- Familiarity with electric motors, power electronics, and control circuits.
- Knowledge of gear reduction mechanisms like belt, harmonic, linear, and planetary drives.
- Experience with system model development, controller co-simulation, and validation.
- Ability to perform analysis on statics, vibration, stress, fatigue, and thermal properties.
- Proficiency in open-source robotics solvers and integrating custom models into in-house tools.
Location & details#
- Location: Palo Alto, California.
- Term: Winter and Spring 2027.
- Commitment: Full-time (40 hours per week), on-site, for a minimum of 12 weeks.
- Compensation: $20.00 - $55.00 per hour plus benefits.
About Tesla
Tesla produces electric vehicles, battery storage systems, and solar energy products. Founded in 2003, the company operates six vertically integrated factories across three continents. It is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and employs over 10,000 people. The organization designs, manufactures, sells, and services its products internally.
How to get in at Tesla
Applying early at Tesla provides a distinct advantage because recruiters review candidates before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first and get seen before the pile grows. Reaching out to the right people often yields better results than submitting to a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves your response rates.



