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About the role

Build your Career at Tesla

Internship, Energy Optimization Software (Fall 2026)

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start August 2026 and continue through the entire Fall term (i.e through December 2026) or into Spring 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.

Multiple Locations Possible: Palo Alto, CA; Fremont, CA; Austin, TX

What You’ll Do

Contribute to the development and optimization of real-time energy management solutions
Develop production-level optimization algorithms
Enhance the accuracy of our battery forecasting models
Implement and evaluate algorithm performance through cloud-based tools that monitor our fleet
Develop and improve system control algorithms, including optimal control and model predictive control
Collaborate with team members to design and implement new customer-facing features
Apply machine learning techniques to improve system predictions and decision-making

What You’ll Bring

Currently pursuing an advanced degree in a relevant program such as Computer Science, Energy System Optimization, Operations Research, Data Science, or Power Systems Economics
Proficiency in several programming languages, with a preference for Python, and familiarity with Linux environments and version control systems like Git
Experience with big data systems (e.g., Spark, Airflow, AWS)
Experience in software development and shipping production code
Knowledge of optimization techniques (e.g., solvers, stochastic optimization) and machine learning models (especially time-series forecasting)
Strong problem-solving skills and effective communication abilities
Passion for sustainable energy and a commitment to advancing the field, with a bonus for any previous experience in the sector

Compensation and Benefits

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
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

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