Energy Engineer Internships
Energy engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Consulting & Professional Services, with Tesla, Sargent & Lundy, and Legence among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 69+ Energy Engineer Internships
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start January 2027 and continue through the entire Winter/Spring term (i.e through April/May 2027) or into Summer 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.
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to renewable energy. This isn’t just a slogan to us. We are building the largest battery storage systems in the world. We are constantly expanding the Supercharger network, the largest electric car charging network ever. We are growing the largest fleets of residential solar, battery storage,and car charging devices in many countries around the world. And we need your help.
The Energy Battery Firmware team works on low-level safety critical battery management and charging software. This role entails developing low level firmware and validation platform infrastructure for our world class Energy product software and firmware, ranging from design, implementation, through validation and ongoing fleet improvements. Opportunities range from low-latency C/Rust drivers and algorithms all the way up to high level C++ controls logic and Python SIL testing infrastructure.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
What You'll Do
- Develop, enhance and debug new and existing real-time software in C, Rust and C++ in embedded RTOS environments
- Work with hardware to bring up new embedded platforms from scratch
- Assist in tool development for testing and system integration
- Specify, design, and implement functionality and behaviors of embedded subsystems
- Engage in cross-functional collaborations with electrical and software teams
- Understand and debug interfaces/interactions required for successful implementation of product-level features
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related field
- Proficiency in C and/or Rust, and C++
- Some background in embedded firmware systems development
- Strong fundamentals in computer or electrical engineering
- Exceptional capacity for managing simultaneous activities and challenges
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
- Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)
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 January 2027 and continue through the entire Winter/Spring term (i.e through April/May 2027) or into Summer 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.
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to renewable energy. This isn’t just a slogan to us. We are building the largest battery storage systems in the world. We are constantly expanding the Supercharger network, the largest electric car charging network ever. We are growing the largest fleets of residential solar, battery storage,and car charging devices in many countries around the world. And we need your help.
The Energy Battery Firmware team works on low-level safety critical battery management and charging software. This role entails developing low level firmware and validation platform infrastructure for our world class Energy product software and firmware, ranging from design, implementation, through validation and ongoing fleet improvements. Opportunities range from low-latency C/Rust drivers and algorithms all the way up to high level C++ controls logic and Python SIL testing infrastructure.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
What You'll Do
- Develop, enhance and debug new and existing real-time software in C, Rust and C++ in embedded RTOS environments
- Work with hardware to bring up new embedded platforms from scratch
- Assist in tool development for testing and system integration
- Specify, design, and implement functionality and behaviors of embedded subsystems
- Engage in cross-functional collaborations with electrical and software teams
- Understand and debug interfaces/interactions required for successful implementation of product-level features
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related field
- Proficiency in C and/or Rust, and C++
- Some background in embedded firmware systems development
- Strong fundamentals in computer or electrical engineering
- Exceptional capacity for managing simultaneous activities and challenges
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
- Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)
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.
Energy Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Tesla39
- Sargent & Lundy6
- Legence4
- CMTA Consulting Engineers4
- McKinstry3
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
Tips for Your Energy Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think you need to
Large employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with cohorts often closing before the new year. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates. Set a recurring reminder to check for new listings each month rather than treating intern hiring as a single seasonal event.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Energy engineer intern candidates stand out with documented technical work, not just a list of coursework. Put together two or three projects that show tools applied to real problems, whether that's energy modeling, load analysis, or efficiency calculations, and make them viewable, through a PDF report, a CAD portfolio, or a published write-up.
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 so you're reaching employers who don't recruit on campus at all.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Energy engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering thermodynamics, energy systems, or applied engineering problem-solving. Practice solving problems aloud, explaining your reasoning as you go, because interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you land on the right answer.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Larger energy companies and engineering firms run rotational or cohort-based internship programs built to train people new to the field. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your background, check their application windows in the fall, and apply in the first wave rather than waiting.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 50% of the energy engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can actually commit to before you start sorting through listings, then filter by location and work type so you're only reviewing roles you can take.
Energy Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an energy engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For energy engineer candidates, the concrete artifact recruiters want to see is a documented project portfolio showing technical tools applied to real problems. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an energy 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 is consistent performance on real work, available headcount on the team at the end of your term, and how early in your internship you signal interest in returning. Position for a return offer by delivering on your project scope, but don't count on it as a given.
When should I apply for energy engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit summer interns 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. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single application season keeps you from missing early-closing cohorts.
Are energy engineer internships paid?
Most professional energy engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid internships exist but are uncommon at established energy companies and engineering firms.
What should an energy engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used and link to the work where possible, such as published analyses, design or CAD portfolios, or technical reports. Add relevant coursework in energy systems, thermodynamics, or related areas. Keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote energy engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 50% of the energy 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 energy 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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