About the role#
As a Design Quality intern, you will learn the process for approving appearance parts for color, quality, and harmony. You will work with the Design and Engineering teams to understand design intent and act as a champion for that vision while working with suppliers. This role requires a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week on-site in Austin, Texas.
What you'll do#
- Provide color and appearance direction to suppliers and approve or reject parts based on product targets.
- Review cosmetic parts for surface quality, finish, color, and tactile feel.
- Assess the technical and aesthetic quality of interior and exterior vehicle components during development stages.
- Coordinate with Product Excellence and Industrialization teams to ensure color and appearance harmony.
- Manage timing, part documents, and the supply base through the supplier portal.
- Assist in the design and development of engineering parts and manufacturing processes.
- Troubleshoot prototype parts with design and manufacturing teams to resolve appearance issues.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a degree program for Vehicle Design, Industrial Design, or Design-focused Engineering.
- Basic to intermediate knowledge of Automotive Color, Materials, and Finish (CMF) design.
- Understanding of materials including textiles, leather, PUR, vacuum forming, colorants, paints, and plating.
- Working knowledge of automotive components and proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.
- Strong communication skills and confidence when providing feedback.
- Exceptional visual and presentation skills.
- Ability to pass a Color Blindness and Color Vision Skill Test.
- Understanding of color quality assessment processes is preferred, and knowledge of injection molding processes is a plus.
Location & details#
- Location: Austin, Texas.
- Term: Winter 2027 (starting January 2027 through the Spring term).
- Commitment: Full-time, on-site, minimum of 12 weeks.
- This is a paid internship.
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
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