Energy Internships
Energy internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience in generation, storage, and grid systems, mentorship from working engineers and analysts, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings across Manufacturing and Construction & Real Estate are active now, with Tesla, CMTA Consulting Engineers, and Legence among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 72+ Energy 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.
Join Tesla’s Power Systems Modeling team and help solve real-world grid integration challenges for Megapack battery energy storage systems (BESS). As a Power Systems Modeling Intern, you will develop and validate power system models, perform grid compliance and stability studies, and work alongside industry-leading engineers advancing the deployment of inverter-based resources worldwide.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
What You'll Do
- Develop and maintain RMS and EMT models for inverter-based resources, including utility-scale battery energy storage systems
- Perform steady-state, dynamic, and grid compliance studies using industry-standard simulation tools and Python-based workflows
- Evaluate the impact of inverter-based resources on bulk power systems and microgrid performance and stability
- Support model validation activities through comparison of simulation results with test data and engineering expectations
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to investigate control design, grid integration, and system performance challenges
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Energy Systems or related field
- Strong foundation in power system analysis and classical control theory
- Hands-on experience with dynamic modeling and simulation of inverter-based resources
- Knowledge of grid-forming and grid-following inverter controls and their application in large-scale energy storage systems
- Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and Python for modeling, analysis, and automation
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- Experience with EMT simulation tools such as PSCAD is a plus
- Experience with positive-sequence simulation tools such as PSS®E, PowerFactory, PSLF, or TSAT is a plus
- Experience developing, modifying, or validating user-defined dynamic models in PowerFactory, PSS®E, or TSAT is a plus
- Familiarity with small-signal modeling, stability analysis, and control design for inverter-based resources is 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.
Join Tesla’s Power Systems Modeling team and help solve real-world grid integration challenges for Megapack battery energy storage systems (BESS). As a Power Systems Modeling Intern, you will develop and validate power system models, perform grid compliance and stability studies, and work alongside industry-leading engineers advancing the deployment of inverter-based resources worldwide.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
What You'll Do
- Develop and maintain RMS and EMT models for inverter-based resources, including utility-scale battery energy storage systems
- Perform steady-state, dynamic, and grid compliance studies using industry-standard simulation tools and Python-based workflows
- Evaluate the impact of inverter-based resources on bulk power systems and microgrid performance and stability
- Support model validation activities through comparison of simulation results with test data and engineering expectations
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to investigate control design, grid integration, and system performance challenges
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Energy Systems or related field
- Strong foundation in power system analysis and classical control theory
- Hands-on experience with dynamic modeling and simulation of inverter-based resources
- Knowledge of grid-forming and grid-following inverter controls and their application in large-scale energy storage systems
- Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and Python for modeling, analysis, and automation
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
- Experience with EMT simulation tools such as PSCAD is a plus
- Experience with positive-sequence simulation tools such as PSS®E, PowerFactory, PSLF, or TSAT is a plus
- Experience developing, modifying, or validating user-defined dynamic models in PowerFactory, PSS®E, or TSAT is a plus
- Familiarity with small-signal modeling, stability analysis, and control design for inverter-based resources is 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.
Energy Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Tesla52
- CMTA Consulting Engineers3
- Legence2
- Love’s Travel Stops2
- Allstream Energy Partners2
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Construction & Real Estate
Tips for Your Energy Internship Search
Apply earlier than the energy recruiting calendar suggests
Large utilities, oil and gas majors, and renewable energy companies close summer intern cohorts by October or November the year before. Smaller firms and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Check listings in early fall and set alerts so you don't miss the earliest deadlines for the most competitive programs.
Build project evidence before you need it
Energy intern hiring teams want something concrete to assess, not just a course list. Document two or three projects with clear methodology and visible outputs: a renewable-systems model, a load-flow analysis, a CAD design, or an energy-data script. Link to repositories or reports so recruiters can review your work directly rather than taking your word for it.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which energy employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to smaller companies running their own cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never appear at university events.
Practice the actual energy intern interview format out loud
Engineering intern screens typically involve technical questions on power systems, thermodynamics, or circuit analysis. Data and modeling roles often include an analytics or Python exercise. Practice out loud and walk through your reasoning step by step, since interviewers in energy weigh how you approach a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured rotational programs at larger energy companies
Major utilities and integrated energy companies run cohort-based rotational internships designed to move you across generation, grid operations, and renewables development in a single term. These programs are built to train people new to the field, recruit in the early fall, and fill their first wave fast. Identify the ones that match your interest and get your applications in before general recruiting opens.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 94% of the energy internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you search, whether that's on-site at a plant or substation, hybrid, or fully remote for modeling and analysis work, and filter by location and work type from the start so you spend your time on roles you can actually take.
Energy Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an energy internship?
Lead with coursework, technical projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level and want something concrete to assess. For energy candidates, that means documented project work: a load-flow analysis, a renewable-systems model, or a CAD design with clear methodology. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an energy internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it in energy is consistent performance on real project deliverables, available headcount on the team, and how early in your internship you signal interest. Position for one by treating every assignment as a work sample, without assuming the offer will follow automatically.
When should I apply for energy internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large utilities, oil and gas companies, and renewable energy firms recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts by November or December. Smaller companies, engineering consultancies, and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single recruiting season keeps you from missing early deadlines.
Are energy internships paid?
Most professional energy internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry segment, and location, a large utility or an oil and gas major typically pays more than a small nonprofit or municipal agency. Where employers disclose compensation, it appears directly in the listing, so you can factor it into your decision before applying.
What should an energy internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Highlight two or three complete, documented projects that show what you built or analyzed, which tools you used, and where a recruiter can see the output, linked code repositories, published reports, CAD or design portfolios, or modeled energy systems. Add relevant coursework in power systems, thermodynamics, or environmental science, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote energy internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 6% of the energy internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts in data analysis, energy modeling, and policy research fill fast, so apply early and use the work-type filter to see them without sorting through on-site postings that don't fit your situation.
What is a rotational energy internship?
Rotational internships place you across two or more business units, generation, transmission, renewables development, or grid operations, over one internship term, giving you broader exposure than a single-team placement. Larger utilities and integrated energy companies run structured versions of these programs specifically for students new to the field. They recruit early and fill quickly, so apply in the first wave of openings.
Can international students get energy 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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