Internship, Distributed Systems Software Engineer, Energy Engineering (Fall 2026)

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application: 

This position is expected to start August or September 2026 and continue through fall term (ending approximately December 2026 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.  

Tesla is looking for software engineering interns to build the cloud services that power these products, driving the worldwide transition to sustainable energy. These platforms provide real-time monitoring, optimization, and control of distributed, renewable-energy assets, including generation, storage, grid services, and electric vehicle charging. You must enjoy thinking in systems and working on challenges related to the availability, reliability, scalability, and security of distributed software systems. This intern will work on Tesla's IoT platforms that support Powerwall, Megapack, Solar Roof, Supercharger, Autobidder, and Virtual Power Plants. They will also work with functional programming, streaming data, and distributed systems. This will include working with Scala, Akka, Reactive Streams, InfluxDB, PostgreSQL, and Kubernetes. 

Location: Palo Alto, CA

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, maintain, and operate distributed software systems that incorporate real-time and streaming data for the monitoring, aggregation, and control of millions of IoT devices

• Test the performance, scalability, and reliability of software systems at scale, including developing the services to support this testing

• Provide technical leadership, foster collaboration, and drive initiatives to completion

• Maintain the values of the team which include engineering excellence, curiosity, a bias for action, self awareness, inclusivity, and vulnerability

• Characterize complex problems related to the scalability, reliability, performance, and security of production systems

What You’ll Bring

• Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

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

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction

• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits

• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans. Both have an option with a $0 payroll contribution

• Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA

• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits

• Company Paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays

• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources

• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance

• Commuter benefits

• Employee discounts and perks program

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Expected Compensation

$20.00 - $50.00 + 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.

Tesla is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.