Internship, Logistics Industrial Engineer, Cell Engineering (Fall 2026)

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start around August 2026 and continue through the entire Fall term (i.e. through December 2026) or into Spring 2027 if available. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time and on-site, for most 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.

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.

Locations: Palo Alto, CA; Fremont, CA; Austin, TX; Robstown, TX; Reno, NV; Toronto, ON

About the Team:

Tesla is looking for a highly motivated engineer to help accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Battery materials manufacturing at a commercial scale presents many distinct challenges, many of which are BIM-related. This internship will focus on improving BIM documentation and play a major role in reality capture of current facilities to guide planning of next stage expansion projects. These efforts are designed to improve existing BIM standards and work processes within the Cathode manufacturing organization. You will be responsible for maximizing the utility of our 3D tools to more efficiently plan future installations. You will join a team focused on cathode manufacturing and development. You will assist in the day-to-day needs of the Cathode Design team and work closely with a senior engineer on future expansion projects. Work will also include working closely with operations, controls, and maintenance resources to support the Cathode manufacturing plant as needed.

What You’ll Do

• Assist in the optimization of manufacturing and material handling for cell production, supporting activities for all the internal flow, from the receiving dock, storage production and material handling until the point of use/consumption
• Support process improvements to enhance yield, quality, and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing
• Collect and analyze operational data to identify bottlenecks and recommend solutions
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (R&D, Quality, Supply Chain) to streamline workflows
• Assist in inventory management, production and material planning and supply chain coordination for critical materials
• Identify inventory discrepancies due to improper material handling management, research root causes and lead efforts to implement demonstrated permanent corrective actions
• Standard labor time studies, value stream mapping, and workflow studies
• Business case development for capital expense projects close follow up to the KPI’s that will ensure a lean and robust operation and support the implantation of continuous improvement ideas
• Document experiments, procedures, and findings for internal knowledge sharing
• Participate in safety protocols and compliance initiatives

What You’ll Bring

• Pursuing a degree in Materials Science, Chemical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering, or related field
• Basic understanding of material properties, manufacturing processes, and data analysis
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with statistical tools (Python, MATLAB, Minitab) is a plus
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment
• Passion for sustainability and Tesla’s mission
• Prior internship or project experience in manufacturing, battery tech, or supply chain
• Knowledge of CAD software, Lean Six Sigma, or DOE (Design of Experiments)
• Experience with battery cell production or materials characterization techniques
• Experience with standard ERP and inventory control software/systems (WARP, MFS, Tesla systems)