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About the role
Build your Career at Tesla

Internship, Failure Analysis Engineer, Energy Engineering (Fall 2026)
| Job Category | Engineering & Information Technology | | Location | Palo Alto, California | | Req. ID | 271544 | | Job Type | Intern/Apprentice |
What to Expect
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start August or September 2026 and continue through fall term (ending approximately December 2026 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.
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.
Tesla Energy Failure Analysis team is looking for a highly motivated individual who is excited about solving real-life electro-mechanical and power electronics hardware issues for storage, charging, and renewables integration applications. As an intern in this position, you will have the opportunity to root-cause failed field-returned hardware, including high power/high voltage electronics, low voltage electronics PCBAs, and battery electronic systems, and provide solutions to improve Tesla's energy products.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
What You’ll Do
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Investigate electronic hardware failures in Powerwall, Megapack, and Supercharger products, including high power electronics PCBAs, low voltage electronics PCBAs and battery electronic systems to identify root causes of failure
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Tear down and diagnose faulty hardware, drawing on strong hands-on experience in lab environments and knowledge of component and system functionality
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Design and conduct experiments to replicate failures on power conversion and low voltage PCBAs, including board rework and firmware/hardware testing
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Develop and execute comprehensive system-level tests in response to identified issues including designing test plans and building experimental setups for validating hypotheses
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Utilize analytical tools and techniques including electrical debug, X-Ray (2D and 3D), microscopic inspection, cross sectioning, SEM, FLIR thermography, and functional testing
What You’ll Bring
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Currently working towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or a related field, with coursework or experience in Mechanical Engineering a plus
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Must be self-managed, curious, and committed to working in a fast-paced environment
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Proficient at interpreting circuit schematics and PCB layouts, and troubleshooting analog and digital circuits
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Strong demonstrable hands-on experience with electrical test equipment: power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and other common lab tools
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Experience with soldering, board rework, fabrication, assembly, and basic instrumentation is desirable
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Willingness to learn different failure analysis techniques including 2D and 3D X-Ray, cross sectioning, SEM, and FLIR thermography
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Familiarity with CAN communication software (PCAN Explorer/CANape) and accelerated life testing is a bonus
Compensation and Benefits
Benefits
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As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:
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Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
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Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
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Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans. Both have an option with a $0 payroll contribution
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Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA
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Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
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401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
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Company Paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
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Employee Assistance Program
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Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays
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Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
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Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
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Commuter benefits
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Employee discounts and perks program
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Expected Compensation
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$20.00 - $50.00 + 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.
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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