Design Engineer Internships
Design engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Manufacturing, Science & Research, and Distribution & Wholesale, with Tesla, Siemens, and GCG among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 34+ Design Engineer Internships
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.
Industrial Energy Enclosure Engineering: Our charter is to design robust and reliable electronics enclosures to enable the successful deployment and operation of Tesla’s Utility scale storage and Supercharging products.
Thermal Design Team: The Tesla Energy thermal design brings battery, charging, and renewable technologies to the world to facilitate a renewable energy ecosystem and redefine the way we all will use energy in the future. As part of the Thermal Design Team, you will design and package the thermal systems that make Tesla Energy products world class. The role requires collaboration with the architecture team, adjacent design teams, manufacturing, and service, and requires the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to design thermal assemblies that are at the core of Tesla’s success.
The Residential Energy Hardware Engineering Team: Our team’s job is to ignore the status quo, challenge rules where appropriate, and implement fundamentals-only engineering to make the absolute best products possible to provide energy storage, EV charging, and solar integration to the home. Our mission is to get the residential electrical infrastructure ready for the tumultuous future ahead, deliver value in our products which make people happy, and fight climate change while we’re at it.
Service Engineering: This team is responsible for the engineering and project execution of solar and storage projects, as well as the overall health and performance of all Energy Products operating in the field. The team includes engineering expertise from project design to power systems analyses, project managers and construction estimators, data analysts and data infrastructure engineers, and product engineers with a variety of electrical and mechanical engineering backgrounds. This team sits at the center of business development, Tesla technology, and the deployment of Energy Products. As a member of our team, you will help to shape the success of our Energy business globally. You must have a genuine passion for enabling successful products and projects that will fundamentally change the world’s energy infrastructure and must want to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
What You'll Do
- Full product design responsibility, from concept through production launch and ramp
- 3D design of complex parts and assemblies + FEA
- Advancing product performance while driving down cost and complexity
- Developing new technologies, supported with early process development
- Relentless improvement of existing products
- Hands-on prototyping
- Specification definition (dimensional, functional, performance, manufacturing)
- Meticulous release of 2D part and assembly drawings
- Owning basic testing and analysis; supporting advanced testing and analysis
- Root causing test failures and production problems
- Collaboration with other teams inside Tesla (manufacturing, testing, NPI, supply chain)
- Travel to support production launch and ramp (supplier visits, on-site at Tesla factories)
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Strong Engineering fundamentals in heat transfer, fluids, mechanics, and electronics
- Basic understanding of material science of components used in mechanical design (metals, insulators, plastics, connectors, gaskets)
- Desire to own a lot and work hard - we have small teams and fast timelines
- Knowledge of GD&T, finite element analysis and design for reliability concepts
- Experience with CATIA V5 or V6
- Basic understanding of electrical design fundamentals
- Demonstrated ability or ability to learn to create products: CAD design to FEA to hand on prototyping
- A detail-oriented personality with solid documentation and reporting skills
- Experience with student Formula Vehicle, Solar Car, Hyperloop a plus
- Direct machine shop skills a plus
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.
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.
Industrial Energy Enclosure Engineering: Our charter is to design robust and reliable electronics enclosures to enable the successful deployment and operation of Tesla’s Utility scale storage and Supercharging products.
Thermal Design Team: The Tesla Energy thermal design brings battery, charging, and renewable technologies to the world to facilitate a renewable energy ecosystem and redefine the way we all will use energy in the future. As part of the Thermal Design Team, you will design and package the thermal systems that make Tesla Energy products world class. The role requires collaboration with the architecture team, adjacent design teams, manufacturing, and service, and requires the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to design thermal assemblies that are at the core of Tesla’s success.
The Residential Energy Hardware Engineering Team: Our team’s job is to ignore the status quo, challenge rules where appropriate, and implement fundamentals-only engineering to make the absolute best products possible to provide energy storage, EV charging, and solar integration to the home. Our mission is to get the residential electrical infrastructure ready for the tumultuous future ahead, deliver value in our products which make people happy, and fight climate change while we’re at it.
Service Engineering: This team is responsible for the engineering and project execution of solar and storage projects, as well as the overall health and performance of all Energy Products operating in the field. The team includes engineering expertise from project design to power systems analyses, project managers and construction estimators, data analysts and data infrastructure engineers, and product engineers with a variety of electrical and mechanical engineering backgrounds. This team sits at the center of business development, Tesla technology, and the deployment of Energy Products. As a member of our team, you will help to shape the success of our Energy business globally. You must have a genuine passion for enabling successful products and projects that will fundamentally change the world’s energy infrastructure and must want to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
What You'll Do
- Full product design responsibility, from concept through production launch and ramp
- 3D design of complex parts and assemblies + FEA
- Advancing product performance while driving down cost and complexity
- Developing new technologies, supported with early process development
- Relentless improvement of existing products
- Hands-on prototyping
- Specification definition (dimensional, functional, performance, manufacturing)
- Meticulous release of 2D part and assembly drawings
- Owning basic testing and analysis; supporting advanced testing and analysis
- Root causing test failures and production problems
- Collaboration with other teams inside Tesla (manufacturing, testing, NPI, supply chain)
- Travel to support production launch and ramp (supplier visits, on-site at Tesla factories)
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Strong Engineering fundamentals in heat transfer, fluids, mechanics, and electronics
- Basic understanding of material science of components used in mechanical design (metals, insulators, plastics, connectors, gaskets)
- Desire to own a lot and work hard - we have small teams and fast timelines
- Knowledge of GD&T, finite element analysis and design for reliability concepts
- Experience with CATIA V5 or V6
- Basic understanding of electrical design fundamentals
- Demonstrated ability or ability to learn to create products: CAD design to FEA to hand on prototyping
- A detail-oriented personality with solid documentation and reporting skills
- Experience with student Formula Vehicle, Solar Car, Hyperloop a plus
- Direct machine shop skills a plus
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.
Design Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Tesla14
- Siemens3
- GCG1
- Maesa1
- SiFive1
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Science & Research
- Distribution & Wholesale
- Technology & Software
- Medical Devices
Tips for Your Design Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large employers open summer design engineer internship applications as early as August or September the year before. If you wait until spring, the most structured cohort programs are already closed. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so checking listings consistently throughout the year keeps you covered for both.
Build a portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for design engineer interns expect limited work history and assess candidates on project evidence instead. Prepare two or three documented projects that show your design or CAD work, the tools you used, and a link or file reviewers can open. A portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to evaluate before an interview is scheduled.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity reaches employers who do not attend your fair.
Practice your technical screen out loud
Design engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering CAD tools, engineering principles, or design problem-solving, and interviewers weigh how you reason through a problem as much as the final answer. Practice explaining your approach out loud rather than working silently, articulating your thinking is a skill that improves with repetition before the actual screen.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Larger engineering and manufacturing companies run cohort and rotational internship programs designed to develop people new to the field, and these programs recruit well ahead of smaller opportunities. Identify the ones that align with your target industry, note their application windows, and submit in the first wave, structured programs fill before general postings do.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the design engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, relocation, commute, or fully remote, before sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you spend your time on roles you can actually accept rather than applying broadly and narrowing down later.
Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a design engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A linked portfolio or CAD project file 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 a design engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it most is the quality of your work on real projects, available headcount on the team at the time offers go out, and timing, return-offer decisions often come before your internship ends. Treat it as a possibility worth working toward, not a certainty.
When should I apply for design engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with applications opening as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role fits your profile is the most reliable approach.
Are design engineer internships paid?
Most professional design engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and many listings disclose the range where the employer chooses to share it. Unpaid arrangements exist mainly at very small organizations or in certain nonprofit contexts, so review each listing carefully.
What should a design engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools you used and linking to the work, a CAD portfolio, a design case study, or a GitHub repository, give reviewers something concrete to assess. Add relevant coursework, keep technical skills visible, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote design engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the design 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.
What is a rotational design engineer internship program?
Some larger manufacturers and engineering firms run structured rotational internship programs that move interns through two or three design or product teams over a single summer. These programs are built to develop people new to the field, offer broader exposure than a single-team placement, recruit early in the academic year, and are competitive, apply in the first wave if a program fits your goals.
Can international students get design 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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