Internship, Mechanical Test Engineer, Energy Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027)

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start January 2027 and continue through the entire Winter/Spring term (i.e through April/May 2027) or into Summer 2027 if available. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site, for most internships.

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

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 are dedicated to providing an experience that allows the intern to experience life at Tesla by including them in projects that are critical to their team’s success.

Join our team as a Mechanical Test Engineering Intern, where you will play a pivotal role in the hardware testing of Megapacks, Superchargers, and more. In this dynamic position, you'll own end-to-end functionality and performance testing of critical mechanical subsystems, ensuring designs are adequately mature before they’re integrated into operational systems. Valuable learnings from your testing will impact both product design and system-level testing. This internship is a unique opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals who are pioneering technologies that will transform the energy landscape. If you are eager to take on challenges, learn from the best, and drive innovation, we invite you to join our dynamic team and be part of the revolution in the energy industry.

Location: Palo Alto, CA

- Develop comprehensive design verification test plans, protocols, and acceptance criteria based on system and subsystem requirements
- Execute hands-on testing, monitor tests, collect and analyze data, and perform RCAs of test failures for mechanical components such as thermal systems, actuators, busbars, vents, enclosures, etc.
- Document results thoroughly: generate clear test reports, summarize findings, track issues, maintain traceability, and communicate status, risks, and recommendations to key stakeholders
- Support design reviews, DFMEA, and continuous improvement of test methods and overall verification and validation strategy
- Collaborate closely with Architecture, Systems Engineering, Design, Test Infrastructure, and Project Management teams for successful testing
- Uphold lab safety standards, especially for high voltage (HV), high-power, and energy storage testing environments; follow all relevant procedures and contribute to safe test practices

- Currently pursuing a Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Strong understanding of mechanical design principles, thermal management, materials behavior, and common failure mechanisms in electromechanical and power systems
- Hands-on experience with test setup, instrumentation (thermocouples, accelerometers, power analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.), data acquisition (e.g. LabVIEW, NI tools), data analysis (e.g. Python, MATLAB), and report writing
- Ability to develop and execute robust test plans based on interpretation of product requirements
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills with ability to work in a highly cross-functional environment

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.