About the role#
The AI Hardware team builds the silicon brains that power Full Self-Driving and Optimus. We design custom AI chips that deliver intelligence per wafer, power efficiency, and cost efficiency to help Optimus and Robotaxi scale. We treat silicon development as an end-to-end machine intelligence problem, using neural networks for synthesis, placement, routing, and verification. Hardware and software are co-designed so every transistor is useful for real-world autonomy and robotics.
What you'll do#
- Design and develop AI-powered applications for static timing analysis, physical synthesis optimization, and automation enhancements.
- Build and maintain LLM-agent-based workflows for chip development, including root cause analysis and coverage.
- Create solutions to optimize performance, power, and area, ranging from spec to RTL optimization.
- Experiment with novel placement algorithms.
- Collaborate with software and hardware teams to accelerate the development lifecycle and close the loop between AI models and silicon reality.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a relevant field, with an expected graduation of 2028 or earlier.
- Expertise in Python and ML frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, or JAX.
- Experience with graph ML using PyG or DGL for netlists and geometric data.
- Familiarity with LLM agent deployment mechanisms and an interest in frontier model improvement.
- Ability to learn new technologies quickly, such as Cadence Virtuoso, Spectre, or Synopsys HSPICE and PrimeTime.
- Knowledge of static timing analysis, routing, formal verification, and data pipelines for circuit datasets.
- A bias for action and an experimentation mindset.
Location & details#
- Location: Palo Alto, California.
- Term: Winter 2027 (starting January 2027 through Spring 2027).
- Modality: Full-time (40 hours per week) and on-site.
- Commitment: Minimum of 12 weeks.
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.
