About the role#
This internship is for graduating high school students who plan to begin higher education in Fall 2027. You will join the Vehicle Software team to help build the interfaces, controls, firmware, and backend systems that define the Tesla in-vehicle experience. This is a full-time, on-site role based in Palo Alto, California, running for at least 12 weeks during the summer of 2027.
What you'll do#
- Build features from the ground up.
- Design, architect, implement, and debug platforms and interfaces.
- Ship code that directly affects Tesla customers and engineers.
- Work with a team of engineers across software, hardware, design, and integration.
- Apply First Principles thinking to break down complex challenges.
What you'll need#
- You are a graduating high school student with an expected college graduation in 2031.
- You have an excellent grasp of fundamental computer science concepts.
- You are proficient in one or more common developer languages such as Python, Go, Java, or C/C++.
- You have a willingness to learn new technologies across the stack.
Location & details#
- Location: Palo Alto, CA (On-site).
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Commitment: Full-time (40 hours per week).
- Compensation: $42.00 - $58.00 per hour plus benefits.
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.
