Internship, Manufacturing Engineering, Optimus (Winter/ Spring 2027)

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the Winter/Spring term (ending approximately May 2027) or continuing into Summer 2027 if available and there is an opportunity to do so. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time 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.

Multiple Locations Possible: Fremont, CA; Palo Alto, CA; Austin, TX; Reno, NV

About Optimus Manufacturing Engineering at Tesla:

Tesla is seeking highly motivated engineering students who thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to apply robotics and engineering concepts to real world projects. Interns on the Optimus team work directly with full time engineers to design, prototype, test, and launch new systems and processes that bring Tesla's humanoid robot to life. Our projects include electromechanical actuators, robotic subsystems, advanced test methodologies, automated manufacturing systems, and full robot integration. Every day we push the boundaries of what is possible in humanoid robotics, building the world's first truly functional robot capable of performing in complex, unpredictable environments.

What You’ll Do

Your application will be considered across a range of opportunities within the larger Optimus Manufacturing Engineering organization, including but not limited to the below teams:

• Body Manufacturing Engineering
• Bot Assembly
• Joining Engineering
• Optimus Hardware Validation
• Plastics Engineering
• Robotics Actuator Testing
• Robotics Manufacturing Actuators
• Stamping & Tooling Engineering
• Systems engineering, Actuator Test
• Stamping & Tooling Engineering

What You’ll Bring

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Mechatronics or a related field
• Hands-on experience is a must
• Excellent grasp of engineering fundamentals
• Proficient with computer-aided design (CAD) software such as CATIA or SOLIDWORKS
• Experience with semi-automated / automated manufacturing equipment
• Experience with design of tooling, jigs, and fixtures
• Experience in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Understanding of Geometric Design & Tolerance (GD&T)
• Proficiency in Python for automation, data processing, and instrument control
• Hands-on experience with test equipment and data acquisition systems
• Passion for humanoid robotics, robotics innovation, and real-world engineering challenges
• Strong problem-solving mindset, attention to detail, and ability to thrive in a fast-moving, collaborative environment