Internship, Embedded Software Engineer, Silicon Development (Winter/Spring 2027)

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start January 2027 and continue through Spring term (ending approximately May 2027) or continuing into Summer 2027 if available and there is an opportunity to do so. 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.

About the Team:

The Silicon Development team builds the custom Autopilot Full Self-Driving (FSD) SoC that powers millions of Tesla vehicles. The team is a group of embedded engineers who work at the intersection of hardware and software, where hardware and software co-design is central to the work.

The team owns the full firmware stack. The stack starts at the very first instruction in ROM, and it ends at complex Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) applications.

This position develops firmware for the custom FSD SoC, next to the hardware architects, and confirms that each SoC is functional, performant, and reliable. The code is high-performance and safety-critical, and it scales to hundreds of thousands of units. Much of the firmware runs before the silicon exists in physical form, on FPGA and emulation platforms.

- Write, review, and debug C code for RTOS and real-time environments
- Bring up and test firmware on pre-silicon platforms (FPGA, emulation) and on target boards
- Write or extend low-level drivers for standard interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe, and DDR
- Support the communication stacks: CAN, CAN-FD, and Ethernet
- Debug at the hardware level with JTAG debuggers, logic analyzers, and oscilloscopes to find the root cause
- Write Python automation for code generation, for test execution, and for log analysis
- Add unit tests and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) tests for all new code
- Improve the build system (SCons, CMake) and the developer tools
- Record the design, the results, and the open risks

- Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field of study with a graduation date between May 2027 – May 2028
- Solid C programming, with a working knowledge of pointers, memory layout, and bit manipulation
- Knowledge of microprocessor fundamentals: interrupts, registers, and memory maps
- Ability to read a datasheet or a register map and translate it into working code
- Comfort with Linux, git, and the command line
- Clear technical communication, in writing and in speech, with hardware, validation, and manufacturing engineers
- Evidence-based debugging: form a hypothesis, test it, and discard it when the data disagrees

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 $125000.00 - $125000.00 + 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.