Internship, Firmware Engineer, New Programs Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027)

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (ending approximately May 2027 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.

About the team

The New Programs Engineering team works at the front end of the design and development cycle by studying, simulating, building, and proving successful Tesla’s future vehicle concepts. As a Firmware Engineer Intern on the New Programs Engineering team, you will be responsible for developing new technologies and prototyping various concepts for new vehicle designs and features. Come join a very dynamic team of highly knowledgeable engineers that strive to build exciting new vehicle programs.

Locations: Fremont, CA

What You’ll Do

• Prototype new vehicle programs. Define system hardware and software interfaces
• Deliver high-quality C code in a real-time embedded environment
• Specify, design, and implement functionality and behaviors of embedded subsystems
• Engage cross-functional discussions with electrical, software, manufacturing, mechanical design, and service teams
• Understand and debug interfaces/interactions required for successful implementation of vehicle level firmware

What You’ll Bring

• Currently pursuing a degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field
• Experience in C/C++
• Solid understanding of embedded development and low-level coding
• Ability to collaborate and communicate complex technical concepts
• Must be detail-oriented with an ability to think creatively and produce "outside of the box" solutions
• FSAE, Hyperloop or Solar Racing experience is a plus
• Familiarity with embedded communication protocols is a big plus (such as CAN, LIN, I2C, SPI)
• Experience with RTOS, firmware architecture, device drivers or programming hardware components is a plus