About the role#
As an Embedded Software Engineer on the Thermal Systems Software team, you will contribute to the design and refinement of thermal systems for Tesla vehicles. This team manages the temperature of critical powertrain components, such as batteries and drive units, as well as the vehicle cabin interior. Your work directly impacts vehicle efficiency and the performance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
What you'll do#
- Architect, design, and implement embedded firmware for motors, actuators, and sensors within the thermal system.
- Develop, enhance, and debug behaviors for coolant, refrigerant, and cabin HVAC systems.
- Drive firmware development in C for real-time embedded environments, focusing on performance and hardware integration.
- Deliver high-quality code for Tesla controllers and production lines.
- Conduct hardware bring-up and enforce component validation to ensure functional code.
- Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and controls engineering teams to build integrated hardware and software solutions.
- Work with cross-functional teams to define requirements for new features, diagnostics, and algorithms.
- Contribute to user-facing features that improve the accuracy and intuitiveness of cabin climate control.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
- Graduation date between May 2027 and May 2028.
- Proficiency in C and real-time embedded environments.
- Proficiency in Python.
- Strong software fundamentals, including firmware architecture, algorithm development, data structures, and code modularity.
- Experience with microcontroller peripherals such as timers, ADC, GPIO, PWM, SPI, UART, LIN, and I2C.
- Hands-on experience with motor types including brushed, brushless, and steppers, as well as analog and digital sensors.
- Familiarity with reading electrical schematics and understanding circuit behavior.
Location & details#
- Location: Palo Alto, California.
- Term: Winter 2027 and Spring 2027.
- Modality: Full-time, on-site.
- Compensation: 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
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.
