Application Engineer Internships
Application engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working application engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Electronics & Hardware, Manufacturing, and Technology & Software, with Tesla, TikTok, and Advantest among the employers posting roles now.
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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.
Join the Industrial Applications team as a Data Capture Engineering Intern and help deliver new data-capture offerings for Tesla Energy's fleet of Megapacks. Our team bridges cloud, hardware, and field service teams, ensuring the telemetry and interface features we build reflect what Site Owners need to operate, report, and meet regulatory obligations for high-resolution disturbance data collection on grids around the world.
In this role you will focus on capturing high-speed data from Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs), designing and validating how data-recording equipment is configured and how that data is collected, then delivering those solutions at fleet scale. You will partner with SCADA, Software, and Product teams to turn engineering capabilities into something repeatable, supportable, and ready for the field.
This is a high-ownership internship with broad cross-functional exposure and the opportunity to make real decisions on products that accelerate the sustainable energy transition.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
What You'll Do
- Establish and validate repeatable configurations for capturing high-speed data from IBRs
- Define what and how high-resolution disturbance data is collected (channels, sample rates, triggering, retention) and reported
- Document the devices and configurations we support for high-resolution data capture, and help expand that support over time
- Partner with the Product team to align on requirements and priorities
- Interface with SCADA, Software, and field teams to translate data-capture requirements into deployable site configurations
- Author procedures, documentation, and training materials for internal teams and customers
- Document designs and decisions clearly and present them to gain cross-organizational buy-in
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering or related field
- Strong grasp of electrical engineering and power system fundamentals
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate cross-functionally with SCADA, field, and Product teams while able to work independently; detail-oriented and execution focused
- Proficiency with at least one programming or scripting language (e.g., Python)
- Familiarity with energy systems and devices such as meters, relays, inverters, and SCADA controllers
- Familiarity with high-speed or transient data capture concepts including COMTRADE, PMUs/synchrophasors (C37.118), or disturbance/fault recorders is preferred
Compensation and 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
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 / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor 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.
Application Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Social Media
- Media & Entertainment
Tips for Your Application Engineer Internship Search
Start your search earlier than you think
Large employers recruit summer application engineer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so new openings appear throughout the year. Check listings in September and October for the biggest structured programs, then revisit regularly for later-posting roles.
Build a technical portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams reviewing application engineer interns expect limited work history, so your projects carry the load. Document two or three complete builds or implementations, note the tools and systems involved, and make the work accessible, linked code repositories, CAD files, or technical writeups give recruiters something real to evaluate before an interview.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time, combining both approaches reaches employers you'd miss focusing on only one channel.
Practice the actual application engineer interview format out loud
Application engineer intern screens typically involve technical problem-solving, system or product walkthroughs, and questions about how you've applied engineering concepts in coursework or projects. Practice answering out loud and explaining your reasoning step by step, interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured internship programs built for new engineers
Many larger companies run dedicated application engineer cohort or rotational programs designed to train candidates new to the field. These programs offer structured mentorship and defined project tracks, but they recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that fit your background and apply in the first wave rather than waiting for general openings.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 100% of the application engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can actually commit to, on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type up front saves time and keeps you focused on roles you can accept.
Application Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an application engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For application engineer candidates, a documented technical portfolio showing real implementations gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an application engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for application engineer interns is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest before return-offer decisions are made. Treat the internship as an extended audition, but keep applying to other roles so you're not counting on one outcome.
When should I apply for application engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit summer cohorts the preceding fall, often closing applications before the calendar year turns. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly rather than treating it as a once-a-year cycle.
Are application engineer internships paid?
Most professional application engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and individual listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon at engineering-focused employers but do appear occasionally at startups and nonprofit organizations.
What should an application engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and technologies used and link to the work, for application engineer candidates, that means linked code repositories, CAD files, technical writeups, or prototype documentation. Add relevant coursework and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote application engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the application engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get application engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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