Internship, Thermal Design Engineer, Energy Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027)

About the role

Internship, Thermal Design Engineer, Energy Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027) | Tesla (Energy Engineering)

Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 285054 | Job Type: Intern/Apprentice

What to Expect

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.

The Tesla Energy thermal design team is a close-knit group of hands-on mechanical engineers bringing cutting-edge battery, charging, and renewable technologies to the world to facilitate a renewable energy ecosystem and redefine the way we all will use energy in the future.

As part of the Thermal Design Team, you will design and package the thermal systems that make Tesla Energy products world class in groundbreaking products like Megapack, Supercharger, and our new data center programs.

The role requires close collaboration with the architecture team, adjacent design teams, manufacturing, and service, and requires the ability to apply strong engineering fundamentals to design innovative thermal assemblies that are at the core of Tesla's success. Our team is composed of talented individuals who are fast-moving, self-motivated, resilient, who love to solve difficult problems, and are true team players.

If this sounds like you, then our team is the right place for you.

Location: Palo Alto, CA

What You'll Do

• Component or system design responsibility, from concept through production launch and ramp
• Component and system integration design, ranging from fan/heat exchanger assemblies, vapor compression cycles, coolant systems, etc.
• Advance the product performance while optimizing for efficiency, cost, manufacturability, and serviceability
• Perform thermal / fluid reduced order modeling and feasibility studies to guide mechanical designs
• Develop and execute component/subsystem design validation plans and test methods to validate product adherence to requirements
• Hands-on engineering prototype builds and component fabrication
• Specification definition (dimensional, functional, performance, manufacturing)
• Create high-quality drawing packages and manufacturing instructions for parts and assemblies
• Collaborate with systems, electrical, supply chain, manufacturing, service/deployment, and reliability teams to take designs from prototyping to mass production
• Root cause and solve test failures and production problems• Relentless improvement of existing products
• Travel to support launch, ramp, and debug activities (on-site at Tesla factories, test facilities, etc.)

What You'll Bring

• Currently pursuing a Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Desire to own a lot and work hard—we have small teams and fast timelines
• Demonstrated ability or ability to learn to create products: CAD design to hand on prototyping
• A detail-oriented personality with solid documentation and reporting skills
• Basic understanding of electrical design fundamentals
• Basic understanding of material science of components used in mechanical design (metals, insulators, plastics, connectors, gaskets, etc.)
• Strong Engineering fundamentals in heat transfer, fluids, mechanics, and electronics
• Thermal analysis and CFD experience
• Experience with CATIA V5 or V6
• Working knowledge of Matlab or Python
• Experience with student Formula Vehicle, Solar Car, Hyperloop etc. a plus
• Direct machine shop skills a plus
• Knowledge of GD&T, finite element analysis and design for reliability concepts

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 - $50.00 + 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.