Internship, Robotics Modeling & Simulation Engineer, Optimus (Winter/Spring 2027)

About the role

Internship, Robotics Modeling & Simulation Engineer, Optimus (Winter/Spring 2027) | Tesla (Tesla SI)

Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 284436 | Job Type: Intern/Apprentice

What to Expect

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.

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.

Welcome to Tesla's Optimus Robotics Team, the epicenter of innovation, where we're not just designing humanoid bi-pedal robots like the Tesla Bot; we're creating a revolution in automation for repetitive tasks.

Join us in this thrilling journey, where you'll find yourself at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and manufacturing engineering disciplines, working collaboratively to drive the future of robotics. You will be at the forefront of groundbreaking developments, working on the core of robotics evolution. Your focus will be on designing and manufacturing robots that set new standards for performance.

You'll be empowered to optimize powertrains, innovate linkages, and enhance the capabilities of robotic limbs, all with an eye on efficient mass production.

What You'll Do

• Work on the architecture and controls for per-joint level systems
• Robot modelling architecture
• Simulator computation efficiency improvement for CPU/GPU architectures
• Abstraction and conversion of joint mechanisms into rigid body trees
• Accurate modeling of kinematic chains
• Conceptual design of biped robots
• Physics/model representations of joints, limbs
• Testing of reinforcement learning control policies (simulation and real)
• Measurement and matching of model and simulation
• Design and support of new mechanism

What You'll Bring

• Currently pursuing a degree in Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a related field with a graduation date between May 2027 - December 2027
• Experience with controls system development, modeling, and implementation
• Background in linear systems analysis, stability, and controller design
• Experience, understanding, and intuition for the physics of basic electric propulsion, motion control systems, and heat transfer
• Knowledge in control systems including, spring loaded inverted pendulum, zero momentum control, model predictive control, Motor controls, etc. Modeling knowledge in inverse kinematics, inverse/forward dynamics, impedance control, torque control, etc.
• Knowledge in control systems including spring loaded inverted pendulum, Zero Momentum Control, Model Predictive Control, Motor controls, etc.
• Modeling knowledge in inverse kinematics, inverse/forward dynamics, impedance control, torque control, etc. Fluent with spatial vector arithmetic
• Basic design of electric motors & power electronics & control circuits
• Familiar with gear reduction mechanisms including Planetary, Belt drives, Harmonics Drives, Magnetic Gears, etc.
• Excellent skills in Python and C++, Matlab/Simulink
• Experience coding in a collaborative environment (GitHub)
• Bonus: skills in CAD (CATIA, NX, Inventor, Solid Works, etc.)

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
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)

Expected Compensation$20.00 - $55.00 + benefitsPay 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.