Internship, Vehicle Manufacturing Engineering; Summer

Position: Internship, Vehicle Manufacturing Engineering (Summer 2026)
What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start around May or June 2026 and continue through the Summer term (ending approximately August 2026) or continuing into Fall 2026 if available and there is an opportunity to do so. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time 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.

Multiple Locations Possible:
Fremont, CA;
Palo Alto, CA;
Austin, TX;
Reno, NV;
Lathrop, CA;
Buffalo, NY

About Vehicle Manufacturing Engineering at Tesla

Tesla is seeking highly motivated post-secondary interns to develop and engineer new processes and high-volume automation equipment. You will work closely with Tesla's internal Product Design, Operations, Facilities, Production and Quality Engineering teams and coordinates cross-functional design activities with tool vendors to "build the machine that build the machines". You will assume full ownership of the design and technical transfer of the line's tools to Tesla Operations, qualifying them for use with the highest standards of safety, quality, and output.

What You'll Do

Your application will be considered across a range of opportunities within the larger Vehicle Manufacturing Engineering organization, a piece of our Vehicle Engineering function, including but not limited to the below teams:

* Manufacturing Engineering, General Assembly

* Body Manufacturing Engineering

* Optimus Manufacturing

* Quality Data Engineering

* Plastics Engineering

* Stamping & Tooling Engineering

* Joining Engineering

* Metal Forming

* Manufacturing Technical Program Management

* Vehicle Manufacturing Controls Engineering

What You'll Bring

* Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics or a related field

* Hands-on experience is a must

* Excellent grasp of engineering fundamentals

* Proficient with computer-aided design (CAD) software such as CATIA or SOLIDWORKS

* Experience with semi-automated / automated manufacturing equipment

* Experience in a high-volume factory environment

* Experience with design of tooling, jigs, and fixtures

* Experience in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)

* Understanding of statistical tools such as Process Capability (Cp, Cpk) and Gauge Repeatability and Reproducibility

* Experience with 3D modeling

* Experience with part and assembly 2D drawing

* Strong analytical/problem solving skills with demonstrated ability to learn concepts quickly

* Understanding of Geometric Design & Tolerance (GD&T)

Compensation and Benefits

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…