About the role#
In the Abuse Testing & Engineering group, we test battery systems by applying electrical, mechanical, and thermal stresses. Our goal is to provide feedback on design performance under abusive conditions. We focus on internal requirements and testing to failure for both vehicle and energy storage products.
What you'll do#
- Run experiments to understand the thermal and mechanical abuse tolerance of battery components and systems.
- Assess hazards and collaborate on hardware development across our product line.
- Create experiments to push battery systems to their limits, using the data to inform thermal and mechanical simulation correlation.
- Study failure properties.
- Perform root cause analysis and recreate extreme or abusive conditions.
- Collaborate in the design and manufacturing of future products.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- Strong understanding of heat transfer, combustion principles, and fluid mechanics.
- Familiarity with battery systems, characteristics, and failures, with a preference for knowledge of lithium-ion batteries.
- Hands-on experience designing, building, assembling, wiring, and troubleshooting test systems.
- Experience in experimental testing and research within an academic or industrial lab.
- Experience with high-temperature processes, testing, and analysis.
- Ability to perform assembly, fabrication, instrumentation, and electrical troubleshooting.
- Proficiency with CAD tools like Catia V5, V6, or Solidworks.
- Experience with software such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, or Python.
- Knowledge of electrical systems including PCBs, resistors, and voltage.
- Familiarity with prototyping methods like machining, welding, sheet metal forming, and 3D printing.
Location & details#
- Location: Palo Alto, California, United States.
- Term: Winter 2027 and Spring 2027.
- Modality: On-site, full-time (40 hours per week).
- Status: Paid internship for students actively enrolled in an academic program.
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.
