Internship, Thermal Engineering, Aerodynamics (Winter/Spring 2027)

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (ending approximately May 2027 or later, if available). We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site, for most internships. Our internship program is for students who are actively enrolled in an academic program. Recent graduates seeking employment after graduation and not returning to school should apply for full-time positions, not internships.

International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school on your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week on-site. Many students will be limited to part-time during the academic year.

Internship Program at Tesla

The Internship Recruiting Team is driven by the passion to recognize and develop emerging talent. Our year-round program places the best students in positions where they will grow technically, professionally, and personally through their experience working closely with their Manager, Mentor, and team. We provide an experience that allows the intern to experience life at Tesla by including them in projects that are critical to their team’s success.

Location: Fremont, CA

About the Team:

Thermal Engineering is the team behind the Tesla Heat Pump, Supermanifold, Octovalve, Superbottle, Airwave, Bioweapon Defense Mode and more. Our multi-disciplinary team of mechanical, manufacturing, electrical, aerodynamics, and thermal engineers works together across all phases of development from idea inception, through prototyping, production, and fleet support.

Aerodynamicists are responsible for developing efficient, quiet, and innovative fluid distribution systems for air, coolant, and refrigerant across all Tesla vehicles. We’re looking for engineers interested in high-level system layout and performance scoping, the detailed fluid dynamics of flow distribution, pump impellers and fan blades, noise reduction, particulate and gas filtration, water management, heat exchangers, and developing new methods of analyzing, testing, and validating these systems.

At Tesla you will get the training, mentorship, resources, and opportunities to drive meaningful projects that raise the bar for electric vehicles and build your career. Come join our team and help accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy!

- Design – development of aerodynamic surfaces through first principles and detailed analysis methods, and collaborating with mechanical designers to bring those surfaces into reality
- Testing – instrumentation, data acquisition, and processing are critical for hardware/model validation and investigating new architectures
- Analysis – detailed CFD and simplified reduced order aerodynamics models are heavily leveraged for hardware optimization, controls, and vehicle diagnostics
- A strong understanding of aerodynamics and an ability to work quickly and effectively to drive our designs forward is far more important than experience with particular tools. Success in this role is critical for vehicle performance, supercharge capability, occupant comfort, and NVH.

- Pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Excellent first principles understanding of fluid mechanics with relevant projects or research experience
- Experience in developing CFD, reduced order model, and experimental validation methodology
- Ability to use hand calculations to make quick decisions or validate simulation/test results and choose best metrics for making decisions

Benefits

As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:

- Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans. Both have an option with a $0 payroll contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company Paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Expected Compensation $20.00 - $50.00 + benefits
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.