Internship, Validation Engineer, Crash Safety; Fall

What To Expect

Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start August or September 2026 and continue through fall term (ending approximately December 2026) or continuing into Winter/Spring 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.

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.

The Crash Safety Software team is looking for a software engineering intern to develop simulation and test infrastructure critical to releasing safety critical software with high confidence. This role will involve using core software tooling expertise to validate embedded controllers in a virtual simulation environment through Tesla’s state-of-the-art Software in the Loop (SIL) infrastructure, along with testing physical ECU hardware through Hardware in the Loop (HIL) testers.

The Crash Safety Firmware team develops and integrates airbag controller functionality that makes Tesla’s vehicles the safest on the road. Join the growing team to tackle our mission to improve real-world crash safety through smart engineering and ambitious innovation using insights gathered from our global connected vehicle fleet as well as our state-of-the-art crash lab. You will solve some of the most ambiguous and challenging problems in the industry while working alongside deeply knowledgeable engineers from different disciplines, in a fast-paced environment, using cutting-edge software development tools and practices.

• Develop firmware simulation tooling in a Software in the Loop environment
• Design and develop tooling for Hardware in the Loop testers
• Create automated validation infrastructure to enable reliable, efficient, thorough, accurate, and repeatable tests
• Develop and execute automated regression test suites for safety critical crash safety firmware
• Continuously analyze and improve regression test suite coverage

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field of study with a graduation date between December 2026 – December 2027
• Proficiency in Python
• Familiarity with C
• Knowledge and experience with automation and build tools (Jenkins, Docker, SCons)
• Experience with Rust is a plus
• An understanding of analog and digital circuits
• Knowledge of version control (Git) and continuous integration
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with the team
• Experience with FPGAs is a plus

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

$42.07 - $58.89/hour + 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.

Tesla