Design Engineer Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
Design Engineer jobs in Palo Alto are concentrated in the Stanford Research Park, downtown Palo Alto, and the East Meadow Drive corridor, with strong demand across semiconductor, medical device, and clean energy hardware companies. Employers actively hiring include Tesla, Rivian, and Ford Motor Company. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 780+ Design Engineer jobs
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (ending approximately May 2027 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.
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.
During your internship for the Optimus Actuator Design Team at Tesla, you will be working on interesting new robotic electromechanical actuator designs that power Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot. We are seeking driven and accomplished engineering student candidates who will thrive in a fast paced and engaging design environment.
What You'll Do
- CAD design of actuator components
- Prototype assembling and testing
- Python and Matlab test script and actuator model development
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics or a related field with a graduation date between May 2027 - December 2027
- Excellent CAD skills in (CATIA or Solidworks)
- Mechanical design experience, both in part optimization and design for manufacturing (design, drawings, GD&T)
- Experience with FEA based part design and optimization
- Python/Matlab knowledge, both in data structure management, UI development, symbolic equations, and iterative solvers
- Handy, with previous machining/shop experience / 3D printed part design experience
- Hands on actuator and component (motor, gear, sensors) testing
- Problem solving with first principles thinking
- Experience in Robotics is preferred
- Experience in Control Theory with basic understanding of motor and motion control is preferred
- Curious and communicative
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
Expected Compensation
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 around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (ending approximately May 2027 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.
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.
During your internship for the Optimus Actuator Design Team at Tesla, you will be working on interesting new robotic electromechanical actuator designs that power Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot. We are seeking driven and accomplished engineering student candidates who will thrive in a fast paced and engaging design environment.
What You'll Do
- CAD design of actuator components
- Prototype assembling and testing
- Python and Matlab test script and actuator model development
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics or a related field with a graduation date between May 2027 - December 2027
- Excellent CAD skills in (CATIA or Solidworks)
- Mechanical design experience, both in part optimization and design for manufacturing (design, drawings, GD&T)
- Experience with FEA based part design and optimization
- Python/Matlab knowledge, both in data structure management, UI development, symbolic equations, and iterative solvers
- Handy, with previous machining/shop experience / 3D printed part design experience
- Hands on actuator and component (motor, gear, sensors) testing
- Problem solving with first principles thinking
- Experience in Robotics is preferred
- Experience in Control Theory with basic understanding of motor and motion control is preferred
- Curious and communicative
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
Expected Compensation
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.
See All 780+ Design Engineer Jobs in Palo Alto
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Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Job Market in Palo Alto
Who's Hiring
- Tesla514
- Rivian106
- Ford Motor Company53
- Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies35
- Great Sky18G
Design Engineer Jobs in Palo Alto: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a design engineer job in Palo Alto?
The most direct path is targeting Palo Alto's hardware-heavy employer base: semiconductor firms in the Stanford Research Park, medical device companies along the El Camino Real corridor, and deep-tech startups east of downtown. Candidates with hands-on CAD experience, exposure to ASIC or PCB design, or a portfolio showing physical product work stand out. Networking through Stanford-affiliated events and local IEEE chapter meetings also opens doors that cold applications rarely do.
Which companies hire design engineers in Palo Alto?
Companies currently hiring design engineers in Palo Alto include Tesla, Rivian, and Ford Motor Company, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Palo Alto's employer mix leans toward established technology hardware firms, venture-backed deep-tech startups, and research-adjacent companies spun out of nearby university programs.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in Palo Alto?
Yes, though remote availability is limited for roles that require hands-on lab work, prototype testing, or hardware iteration. About 100% of design engineer openings tied to Palo Alto are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with most flexibility found in digital design, VLSI, and verification roles rather than mechanical or hardware-integration positions.
How can I get a design engineer job in Palo Alto with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Palo Alto is targeting hardware startups and mid-size semiconductor firms that regularly bring on junior engineers for defined project roles. Contract-to-hire positions at Palo Alto-area electronics companies are common and often convert to full-time. Internship programs tied to Stanford's engineering departments feed directly into local hiring pipelines, and entry-level roles in verification, test engineering, or CAD drafting frequently serve as the first step toward a full design engineer title.
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