Mechanical Design Engineer Internships
Mechanical 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. Manufacturing, Distribution & Wholesale, and Technology & Software lead in internship volume, with Tesla, Siemens, and Precision CastParts among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Mechanical 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.
Mechanical Design Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Distribution & Wholesale
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your Mechanical Design Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer internships
Large aerospace, automotive, and industrial employers open summer mechanical design engineer internship applications as early as August or September. Waiting until spring means many cohort seats are already filled. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check back regularly throughout the year.
Build a design portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for mechanical design engineer internships expect limited work history, so your CAD models, design project files, and engineering coursework projects are your proof. Document two or three complete projects with the software used, the design problem, and the outcome, then link the portfolio in your resume and application.
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 are reaching employers who never come to campus.
Practice the mechanical design engineer intern technical screen out loud
Many mechanical design engineer intern interviews include a technical screen covering statics, materials, or a design challenge, sometimes combined with questions about your projects. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud, not just arriving at an answer, because interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as the final result.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Large manufacturers and engineering firms run formal rotational or university intern programs built to train people new to the field. These programs recruit in the first wave of fall recruiting and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your discipline, check their application windows, and apply before general recruiting opens.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the mechanical design engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before searching so you are not sorting through roles you cannot take. Filter by location and work type first, then apply to the openings that actually fit your situation.
Mechanical Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mechanical design engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A CAD or design portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess your mechanical skills. Apply directly to companies posting openings and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster with students they meet in person.
Can a mechanical 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 for mechanical design engineer interns is consistent performance on real project work, whether the team has open headcount, and hitting the return-offer conversation early before the internship ends. Position for one without counting on it, and keep other applications active.
When should I apply for mechanical design engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit their summer intern cohorts the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Applying as soon as a role posts gives you the best chance before cohort seats fill.
Are mechanical design engineer internships paid?
Most professional mechanical design engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show the range where the employer discloses it. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon in industry settings outside certain academic or nonprofit contexts.
What should a mechanical design engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used, the problem solved, and a link to the work, whether that is a CAD portfolio, a design case study, or a GitHub repository with engineering files. Add relevant coursework in mechanics, materials, or CAD software, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote mechanical design engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the mechanical design engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast since they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early. Filter by work type to see only remote or hybrid listings before sorting through everything else.
Can international students get mechanical 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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