Internship

Job Description

Consider before submitting an application:   

This position is expected to start around August or September 2025 and continue through the Fall term (ending approximately December 2025) or continuing into Winter/Spring 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.  

About the Team 

The Vehicle Human Factors and Ergonomics team is looking for a talented and motivated engineering student to join us at the Tesla Design Studio. The intern will work with the team responsible for occupant packaging, human factors, ergonomics, and engineering design issues. Successful interns will work to achieve high spatial efficiency and excellent ergonomics while meeting all relevant legislative requirements. This role offers a rare opportunity to work on a team that handles ownership and development of new and genuinely cutting-edge vehicles. Enthusiasm and knowledge of cars is advantageous, and you must have a genuine passion for engineering the world’s best electric vehicles. 

Locations: Tesla Design Studio - Hawthorne, CA 

Job Responsibilities

• Perform research toward creating comfortable and highly usable spaces for vehicle drivers and passengers 

• Work to develop, validate, and maintain vehicle occupant packages, ergonomic criteria, and processes 

• Work with engineering, design, and program management teams to find and implement optimum ergonomic solutions 

• Perform digital and physical assessments of criteria against styling and engineering proposals 

• Develop and run focus studies to establish ergonomic compliance 

Job Requirements

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Ergonomic Engineering, or a related field 

• Experience in occupant packaging, human factors, ergonomics, or product usability is preferred 

• Knowledge of CAD software, preferably CATIA V6 and V5 

• Experience or understanding of rapid fabrication methods such as 3D printing and hand fabrication 

• Knowledge of CAVA and RAMSIS is preferred 

• Any experience in an automotive design studio such as liaising between automotive stylists, clay modelers, vehicle engineers, and marketing is a plus 

• Knowledge of automotive engineering guidelines, laws and regulations, manufacturing techniques, and automotive product development is a plus