Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Palo Alto, CA
Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Palo Alto are concentrated along the University Avenue corridor, Stanford Research Park, and the California Avenue district, where medical device, semiconductor, and clean energy companies cluster alongside hardware-focused startups. Employers hiring right now include Tesla, Rivian, and Intuitive Machines. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 233+ Mechanical Design Engineer jobs
This position is expected to start January 2027 and continue through Spring term (ending approximately May 2027 or later, if available). Preference for candidates who are able to commit to 8 months but we ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site. 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.
Tesla is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineering Intern in the Autopilot and Electronics Product Design
team. The intern will contribute to the mechanical design of electronic systems for Tesla’s Optimus
robot platform. Focus areas will be computer, antennas, audio and sensors.
What You'll Do
- Participate in cross-functional projects for mechanical design and packaging of components to meet product and system level requirements while optimizing for product attributes
- Develop designs in CAD for both detailed parts and master model assemblies.
-
Perform tolerance analysis, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and other simulations and analyses before releasing designs for production
- Create 2D drawings appropriate for high-volume production and inspection methods
- Conduct Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews with suppliers and support tooling bring up
- Define validation tests and perform data analysis
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Strong engineering fundamentals and ability to perform first-principles analysis to ensure a successful design (stress-strain, thermal, tolerance, cost and mass optimization, etc.)
- Proficient in CAD, CATIA preferred
- Experience in drafting 2D drawings with GD&T
- Ability to present data/trade-offs to facilitate decision making
- Multidisciplinary knowledge in mechatronics, microcontroller, signal processing, programming and optics preferred
- Experience with FEA, ANSYS preferred
- Passionate about electro-mechanical and opto-mechanical product design, inventing solutions, and finding better and simpler ways to implement designs
- Skills and ability to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment
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.
This position is expected to start January 2027 and continue through Spring term (ending approximately May 2027 or later, if available). Preference for candidates who are able to commit to 8 months but we ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site. 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.
Tesla is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineering Intern in the Autopilot and Electronics Product Design
team. The intern will contribute to the mechanical design of electronic systems for Tesla’s Optimus
robot platform. Focus areas will be computer, antennas, audio and sensors.
What You'll Do
- Participate in cross-functional projects for mechanical design and packaging of components to meet product and system level requirements while optimizing for product attributes
- Develop designs in CAD for both detailed parts and master model assemblies.
-
Perform tolerance analysis, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and other simulations and analyses before releasing designs for production
- Create 2D drawings appropriate for high-volume production and inspection methods
- Conduct Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews with suppliers and support tooling bring up
- Define validation tests and perform data analysis
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Strong engineering fundamentals and ability to perform first-principles analysis to ensure a successful design (stress-strain, thermal, tolerance, cost and mass optimization, etc.)
- Proficient in CAD, CATIA preferred
- Experience in drafting 2D drawings with GD&T
- Ability to present data/trade-offs to facilitate decision making
- Multidisciplinary knowledge in mechatronics, microcontroller, signal processing, programming and optics preferred
- Experience with FEA, ANSYS preferred
- Passionate about electro-mechanical and opto-mechanical product design, inventing solutions, and finding better and simpler ways to implement designs
- Skills and ability to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment
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.
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Find JobsMechanical Design Engineer Job Market in Palo Alto
Who's Hiring
- Tesla214
- Rivian13
- Intuitive Machines6
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Palo Alto: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mechanical design engineer job in Palo Alto?
Target Stanford Research Park tenants and the hardware and deep-tech startups along the California Avenue and El Camino Real corridors, where demand for mechanical design engineers is strongest. Experience in medical devices, semiconductor packaging, or precision instruments gives you a clear edge here. Engaging with local engineering meetups tied to Stanford and attending product hardware events in the area also puts you in front of hiring managers before roles are posted.
Which companies hire mechanical design engineers in Palo Alto?
Companies currently hiring mechanical design engineers in Palo Alto include Tesla, Rivian, and Intuitive Machines, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. The local employer mix leans heavily toward medical device manufacturers, semiconductor equipment firms, and venture-backed hardware startups, many of which maintain design and prototyping operations directly in or adjacent to the Stanford Research Park.
Are there remote mechanical design engineer jobs in Palo Alto?
Yes, but only partially: mechanical design engineering is heavily hands-on, so fully remote roles are rare for positions involving prototyping, lab testing, or manufacturing oversight. About 0% of mechanical design engineer openings tied to Palo Alto are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, typically structured around on-site days for physical builds and testing. CAD modeling, simulation analysis, and design review work are the functions most commonly performed off-site in Palo Alto roles.
How can I get a mechanical design engineer job in Palo Alto with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through internships or co-op roles at medical device companies and hardware startups in the Stanford Research Park, many of which recruit directly from Stanford and nearby universities. Applying for associate mechanical engineer or design engineering technician titles opens the door locally, and building a portfolio that shows SolidWorks or CATIA work alongside any physical prototyping projects makes a strong impression with Palo Alto hiring teams who evaluate candidates on practical output, not just credentials.
Which industries hire the most mechanical design engineers in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto mechanical design engineer roles concentrate in Manufacturing and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. The city's proximity to Stanford and its established base of medical device and semiconductor equipment companies creates sustained demand for precision design and systems integration skills that draws mechanical design engineers from across the region.
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