Vehicle Engineer Internships
Vehicle engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working on real vehicle systems, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Tesla, Zoox, and PACCAR among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 22+ Vehicle Engineer Internships
Who we are
Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.
The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.
At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn.
What we are looking for
We're searching for a Summer 2027 Software Engineer Intern for our Vehicle Platforms Team. This role is a unique opportunity for a systems-minded coder to work at the foundational layer of our autonomous trucks, bridging the gap between high-level autonomy software and physical vehicle hardware. You will be instrumental in ensuring our sensors, compute units, and embedded devices function as a seamless, high-performance unit, making this one of the most hands-on software roles at Aurora.
In this role you will
Integrate Core Hardware Components: Write and maintain C++ interfaces and drivers that integrate Lidars, Radars, Cameras, and other embedded devices into the Aurora Driver stack.
Support Platform Bring-up: Participate in the initial software "bring-up" of new vehicle platforms, ensuring the onboard compute and sensors are correctly configured and communicating.
Optimize Onboard Performance: Profile and optimize code to ensure efficient use of limited CPU, GPU, and memory resources on the vehicle.
Monitor Hardware Health: Develop and refine software tools that track the real-time health and telemetry of our hardware components to ensure safe fleet operations.
Validate via HIL Infrastructure: Utilize Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments to test and verify your code changes against real-world hardware before deployment to the road.
Required qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
Strong proficiency in C++: Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and memory management (academic or project-based).
Hands-on Systems Experience: At least 1–2 years of relevant experience, which can be demonstrated through multiple internships, significant academic research, or professional work involving hardware-software interaction.
Linux Fundamentals: Experience working in a Linux environment with an understanding of command-line tools and system basics.
Exposure to Networking Protocols: Familiarity with the basics of data transport, such as TCP/IP, UDP, or serial communication.
Desirable qualifications
Robotics or Embedded Projects: Experience with ROS/ROS2, microcontrollers (Arduino/STM32/ESP32), or hobbyist robotics.
Familiarity with Sensors: Prior exposure to Lidar, Radar, or Camera data processing and hardware interfaces.
Scripting Skills: Proficiency in Python for automation, data analysis, or building internal support tools.
Automotive Knowledge: Understanding of CAN bus protocols or Automotive Ethernet basics.
Safety Mindset: Familiarity with concepts of high-availability or safety-critical software design.
Compensation
The hourly pay rate for this internship in Mountain View is:
$52.00 per hour for interns pursuing a bachelor’s degree; and
$58.00 per hour for interns pursuing a master’s degree
Working at Aurora
At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together — all without any jerks.
We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy, and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, Aurorans are expected to work from the office at least 3 days per week, with some roles requiring more frequent in-office presence, up to 5 days per week, based on operational needs.
Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom.
Our commitment to safety
At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.
Our commitment to inclusion
Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at careersiteaccommodations@aurora.tech.
For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.
Who we are
Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.
The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.
At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn.
What we are looking for
We're searching for a Summer 2027 Software Engineer Intern for our Vehicle Platforms Team. This role is a unique opportunity for a systems-minded coder to work at the foundational layer of our autonomous trucks, bridging the gap between high-level autonomy software and physical vehicle hardware. You will be instrumental in ensuring our sensors, compute units, and embedded devices function as a seamless, high-performance unit, making this one of the most hands-on software roles at Aurora.
In this role you will
Integrate Core Hardware Components: Write and maintain C++ interfaces and drivers that integrate Lidars, Radars, Cameras, and other embedded devices into the Aurora Driver stack.
Support Platform Bring-up: Participate in the initial software "bring-up" of new vehicle platforms, ensuring the onboard compute and sensors are correctly configured and communicating.
Optimize Onboard Performance: Profile and optimize code to ensure efficient use of limited CPU, GPU, and memory resources on the vehicle.
Monitor Hardware Health: Develop and refine software tools that track the real-time health and telemetry of our hardware components to ensure safe fleet operations.
Validate via HIL Infrastructure: Utilize Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) environments to test and verify your code changes against real-world hardware before deployment to the road.
Required qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
Strong proficiency in C++: Solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and memory management (academic or project-based).
Hands-on Systems Experience: At least 1–2 years of relevant experience, which can be demonstrated through multiple internships, significant academic research, or professional work involving hardware-software interaction.
Linux Fundamentals: Experience working in a Linux environment with an understanding of command-line tools and system basics.
Exposure to Networking Protocols: Familiarity with the basics of data transport, such as TCP/IP, UDP, or serial communication.
Desirable qualifications
Robotics or Embedded Projects: Experience with ROS/ROS2, microcontrollers (Arduino/STM32/ESP32), or hobbyist robotics.
Familiarity with Sensors: Prior exposure to Lidar, Radar, or Camera data processing and hardware interfaces.
Scripting Skills: Proficiency in Python for automation, data analysis, or building internal support tools.
Automotive Knowledge: Understanding of CAN bus protocols or Automotive Ethernet basics.
Safety Mindset: Familiarity with concepts of high-availability or safety-critical software design.
Compensation
The hourly pay rate for this internship in Mountain View is:
$52.00 per hour for interns pursuing a bachelor’s degree; and
$58.00 per hour for interns pursuing a master’s degree
Working at Aurora
At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together — all without any jerks.
We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy, and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, Aurorans are expected to work from the office at least 3 days per week, with some roles requiring more frequent in-office presence, up to 5 days per week, based on operational needs.
Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom.
Our commitment to safety
At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.
Our commitment to inclusion
Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at careersiteaccommodations@aurora.tech.
For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.
Vehicle Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Tesla14
- Zoox2
- PACCAR2
- General Motors (GM)2
- inversion1
Tips for Your Vehicle Engineer Internship Search
Apply months before the internship starts
Large automotive OEMs, aerospace manufacturers, and defense contractors open summer vehicle engineer internship applications the preceding fall, often in August or September. Smaller firms and co-op programs post closer to their start dates. Check openings regularly through the academic year so you don't miss either wave.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
Hiring teams for vehicle engineer interns expect limited work history and assess candidates on project evidence instead. Prepare two or three documented projects showing CAD models, structural analyses, testing results, or simulation outputs, with the tools and software named clearly. A linked portfolio or project report gives recruiters something concrete to evaluate before an interview.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured vehicle engineer internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Your professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you can reach.
Practice your technical screen out loud before you apply
Vehicle engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering engineering fundamentals, design problems, or hands-on scenario questions, and interviewers weigh how you reason through a problem as much as the final answer. Practice explaining your thinking out loud on sample problems, not just arriving at a solution silently, so the format feels familiar when it counts.
Target structured internship programs at larger employers first
Many large automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing companies run rotational or cohort-based vehicle engineer internship programs specifically built to train early-career candidates. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your discipline and university year, then apply in the first application window rather than waiting to see what else opens up.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 0% of the vehicle engineer internships listed here, so decide what you can commit to before you sort through listings. Set your location and work-type filters first on Migrate Mate so every result you review is actually available to you, and you're not spending time on positions that don't fit your situation.
Vehicle Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a vehicle engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For vehicle engineer candidates, a portfolio showing design work, CAD models, or engineering project documentation gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a vehicle engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For vehicle engineer interns, what drives it most is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team at the end of the term, and whether the employer runs a structured return-offer process. Treat a full-time offer as a possible outcome to work toward, not an assumption to build on.
When should I apply for vehicle engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers in automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing recruit summer vehicle engineer interns the preceding fall, with applications open as early as August and September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round and searching regularly throughout the academic year keeps you from missing late-posting roles.
Are vehicle engineer internships paid?
Most professional vehicle engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, so it differs meaningfully between a large automotive OEM and a smaller engineering consultancy. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it, letting you compare opportunities directly before you apply.
What should a vehicle engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and software used, such as CAD platforms, simulation environments, or testing equipment, and link to or reference a portfolio, design file repository, or project report where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework, keep the whole document to one page, and put the most technically specific project first.
Are there remote vehicle engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 100% of the vehicle engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early once you find a role that fits. Filter by work type at the start of your search so you're only reviewing positions you can actually take.
Can international students get vehicle 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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