Internship, Electromechanical Product Design Engineer, Optimus (Winter / Spring 2026)

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application :

This position is expected to start around January 2026 and continue through the Winter / Spring term (ending approximately May 2026) or continuing into Summer 2026 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.

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.

As a Mechanical Product Design Engineer for the Optimus program you will be responsible for integration of mechanical and electrical components, consolidating and packaging connectors, harnesses and sensors. You will be on the front line of cutting-edge electromechanical architecture and integration for actuators, sensors, and distribution devices.

What You'll Do

• Develop designs in CAD for both detailed parts and master model assemblies
• Perform tolerance analysis, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and other simulations and analysesbefore 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
• Design automated fixtures and calibration equipment for advanced robotics products
• Design start-to-launch electromechanical parts and assemblies including plastics, sheet metal, heat sinks, as well as PCBA, rigid-flex PCBA and FPC MCO's
• Mechanical integration analysis including thermal, design for assembly, design for test and stack-up
• Closely work cross-functionally with other mechanical, electrical, software, and firmware engineers to generate architectural tradeoffs and generate elegant designs

What You'll Bring

Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics,Mechatronicsor a related field

Proficiencyin designing parts and assemblies using 3D modeling software (CATIA preferred)

Strong intuition for structural optimization supported by FEA / hand calculations

Good electrical foundation with knowledge about gearbox, motor, inverter, wire harness design

Programming skills in MATLAB / Simulink and / or Python are preferred

Ability to prototype using fabrication, machining, and basic electronics / coding abilities

Exposure to a wide variety of test systems, production machinery and hobbyist electronics (pogo-pins, industrial sensors, PLCs, pneumatics, Raspberry Pi, microcontrollers, etc.)

Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stacks, design for manufacturing / automation / test / reliability (DFM / DFA / DFT / DFR). Experience with DFMEA and PFMEA

Basic understanding of electrical design fundamentals, as well as familiarity with PCBAs and PCBA components

Strong knowledge of materials, fabrication methods for low- and high-volume

Analytical background for successful design (tolerance stack-ups, solid mechanics, thermal, cost and mass optimization)

Experience with FFC's, FPC's, and rigid-flex technologies preferred

Compensation and Benefits Benefits

As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for :

2 medical plan options with $0 payroll deduction

Expected Compensation $20.00 - $55.00 / hour + benefits

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.