About the role#
As an intern on the Tesla Design Team, you will work on live studio projects and contribute as a member of the team. We expect you to manage your time and drive your own projects. This role involves working on confidential designs, though there is often scope to develop a personal project for your portfolio. We view this program as an evaluation for future hiring.
What you'll do#
- Develop interior design proposals for Tesla vehicles, ranging from broad themes to specific component designs.
- Create sketches that show a vision for the future of Tesla interior design.
- Guide designs from the sketch phase through concept modeling in Alias or clay.
- Collaborate with engineers to find design and engineering solutions.
- Work with color and trim designers to explore CMF opportunities.
- Participate in non-vehicle design efforts as needed.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing a degree in Transportation Design, Vehicle Design, Automotive Design, or a related field.
- Strong ability to work on both exterior and interior design.
- High level of skill in taking 2D sketches to 3D modeling using poly modeling, Alias, and clay.
- Excellent visual and oral communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple parallel-path projects.
- Experience building and maintaining cross-functional working relationships.
- Technical knowledge of prototyping, manufacturing, and assembly processes is a plus.
- A portfolio or personal website is required for consideration.
Location & details#
- Location: Hawthorne, California.
- Term: Winter 2027 and Spring 2027.
- Commitment: Full-time, 40 hours per week, on-site for a minimum of 12 weeks.
- Status: This is a paid, full-time internship for students currently 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.
