Internship, Cell Qualification, Cell Engineering (Winter/Spring 2026)

What To Expect
Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start around January 2026 and continue through the Winter/Spring term (ending approximately May 2026) or continuing into Summer 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.

The Cell Qualification team develops test methods to characterize and qualify cell designs for all Tesla products. Our mission is to help Tesla make the best cell technology decisions rapidly and with confidence. This position will collaborate with various teams within Cell Engineering to understand test lab operations and help optimize them. A successful candidate will apply first-principles thinking to improve the framework that is used to qualify every cell design, and knowledge of software tools to help implement it. We are looking for a self-motivated candidate with an interest in battery technology, and who thrives in a fast-paced environment.

Multiple Locations Possible: Palo Alto, CA; San Diego, CA

What You'll Do

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand testing requirements and timelines

Design and implement test profile for targeted cell requirements with first-principle understanding of battery behavior and fleet representativeness

Implement data parser to for automatic data analysis and establish data pipelines to link the designed test to database

Participate in team meetings, seek feedback, and gain hands-on experience in full-stack development and the project management lifecycle

Quantify error for test, determine methods to reduce this error, and implement these methods in our standard operating procedure

Work closely with technicians to reduce complexity of testing procedures while maintaining or improving accuracy and precision of the measurement

Hands on lab testing

Analyze electrochemical data to determine measurement accuracy and precision

Work closely with modeling team to provide testing framework and results that can be consumed by and compared to existing model

Create a script in Python that can take in image files and output key test metrics

What You'll Bring

Currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Nano Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field

Programming experience with Python

Experience writing Python scripts for data processing and analysis

Experience with designing/prototyping/testing lab equipment, and PCB design

Direct experience working with Li-ion batteries

Previous internship experience in an R&D environment (or equivalent)

Significant, demonstrated technical contributions towards past projects

First principles understanding of engineering concepts with relevant project/research experience

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

Ability to work independently on multiple projects with complex requirements

Benefits
Compensation and Benefits
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:

Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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

Employee Assistance Program

Sick time after 90 days of employment 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

$20.00 - $50.00/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.

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