About the role#
This internship supports new vehicle programs from early prototype development through production. You will work within the Vehicle Software department to coordinate firmware releases and manage the engineering fleet. The role focuses on vehicle life cycle management, prototype hardware retrofits, and supporting engineering teams with their testing needs.
What you'll do#
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve fleet testing and validation, helping speed up design iterations.
- Coordinate software OTA rollouts for the worldwide fleet of prototype vehicles.
- Manage engineering vehicle logistics, including allocation, tracking, and daily use across global teams.
- Define test metrics and track progress toward project goals.
- Design and maintain processes for managing engineering vehicle life cycles.
- Support quarterly global engineering fleet audits.
- Partner with prototype shops to execute hardware retrofit campaigns, ensuring both parts and firmware are ready.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in an Engineering, Management, or related degree program.
- Expected graduation date between May 2027 and May 2028.
- Experience with Jira, SharePoint, and Confluence.
- Basic knowledge of engineering fundamentals and the product development life cycle.
- Ability to work independently and find solutions in ambiguous situations.
- Experience working on multiple projects within an R&D environment.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Location & details#
- Location: Palo Alto, California.
- Term: Winter 2027 and Summer 2027.
- Modality: This is a full-time, on-site position requiring 40 hours per week.
- Compensation: $36.06 - $56.13 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.
