Materials Engineering Internship (Aug 2024)

About Tesla

Tesla Inc. is a global automotive and energy company known for its electric vehicle lineup including Model Y, Model 3, Model X, and Model S, as well as upcoming releases like the Cybertruck and Tesla Roadster. It also offers energy solutions, such as solar panels and storage systems, operating globally with manufacturing plants in the US, Germany, and China.

Your role

What to expect:

This position is expected to start around August 2024 and continue through the entire Fall term (i.e. through December 2024) or into Spring 2025 if available. They ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time and on-site, for most internships.

What you’ll do:

Application Engineering

The Materials Applications Team is part of the larger Materials Engineering organization at Tesla. They, however, are not materials scientists; they are mechanical design engineers. They tackle select materials-related design challenges that have high value to Tesla but no one is working on them because they don’t have the time or the expertise. Their job is to evaluate options through modelling and testing until they have achieved proof of concept. Projects range across all Tesla products and factories. They are seeking candidates who have experience with CAD systems, GD&T, FEA tools, Arduino or other microcontrollers, and Matlab or Python for building models and processing data.

Materials Test team

The Materials Test Team is part of the Materials Engineering organization and gets involved with almost all aspects of materials-level testing performed at Tesla.  Activities encompass various materials, including metals, polymers, textiles, adhesives, and ceramics. The scope of testing is similarly broad, spanning standardized validation testing, investigative material characterization for manufacturing troubleshooting and creating new tests and characterization capabilities to develop custom materials faster.

Role:

• As an intern on the Materials Test Team, you will take on the role of a Materials Test Engineer and be given ownership of a technical project focused on one of the growing needs within the team.
• Seeking candidates who are familiar with materials testing and characterization, have experience working with or around hazardous materials, and have a willingness to promote health and safety.

Technical Program Management

Working within the Materials Engineering group at Tesla, this individual will support the management of materials development, validation, and information programs, covering the group’s technology roadmap, database systems, and materials validation programs. Seeking candidates who have strong organizational and presentation skills, and/or experience with materials testing and characterization techniques.

Metals, Ceramics, and Glass

The Metals, Ceramics, and Glass Team is part of the larger Materials Engineering organization at Tesla. They select, quantify, standardize, qualify, and design new materials. They work with mechanical design engineers, manufacturing, and process to deliver the right material solution for any metal, ceramic or glass that is used in their products. Products range from stamped sheet metal, castings, extrusions, welds, electrical connections, electromagnetic metals, and many more. They are seeking engineers eager to apply fundamental materials science to atomistic problems up to hands-on manufacturing, who have an understanding of material failure mechanisms, and the ability to interpret data obtained by various materials testing and characterization methods.

Solar Materials 

Solar Engineering develops solar products for Tesla Energy. The Solar Materials team supports Solar Engineering with all materials-related issues including qualifying new materials, failure analysis and materials innovation. The Tesla Solar Roof system comprises a wide variety of materials including glass, plastics, adhesives, sealants, pottants, composites, metals, and paint. The Solar Materials team seeks an intern to support the evaluation and characterization of solar materials. The intern will be expected to manage and execute an independent project as well as assist with ongoing projects as needed. The solar material internship represents an opportunity to not only learn about a wide variety of materials and characterization techniques but also to gain experience in industrial project management and effective communication. Seeking candidates with previous lab experience, e.g. sample preparation or characterization.

Training & development

The Internship Recruiting Team is driven by the passion to recognize and develop emerging talent. Their 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. They are dedicated to providing an experience that allows the intern to experience life at Tesla by including them in projects critical to their team’s success. 

Salary & benefits

This role's expected compensation pay range is $20.00 - $60.00 per hour.

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

• Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical plan options with $0 payroll deductions.
• Family-building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans. Both have an option with a $0 payroll contribution.
• Company (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA.
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• LGBTQ+ care concierge services.
• 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits.
• Company Paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Sick time after 90 days of employment and Paid Holidays.
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources.
• Voluntary benefits include critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance.
• Commuter benefits.
• Employee discounts and perks program.

Career progression

Tesla offers a comprehensive array of training, mentorship, project-based work, networking opportunities, and professional development resources to interns, fostering their growth and providing valuable hands-on experience. Career progression at Tesla is often driven by individual performance, initiative, and a willingness to take on new challenges. The company values employees who are passionate about their work, demonstrate a strong work ethic, and are committed to driving Tesla's mission forward. 

Work-life balance

At Tesla, work-life balance is a top priority, with a commitment to providing employees with flexible schedules and support to ensure their well-being. By promoting a healthy harmony between work and personal life, Tesla encourages a productive and motivated workforce. For this role, you must be able to work 40 hours per week on-site. 

Culture & vibe

Tesla’s organizational culture empowers its workforce to search for ideal solutions that make the business stand out in the automotive and energy generation and storage industries. The company encourages employees to innovate to support the continuous improvement of the business. Through the organizational culture, Tesla Inc.’s management optimizes employees to achieve creative and innovative behaviours. 

About you

What you’ll bring:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Engineering, preferably Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or equivalent.
• Proficient in 3D CAD tools and/or Simulation tools (CATIA, Solidworks, Delmia, and Witness or similar such as TC, Process Designer, and Process Simulate would be considered an advantage).
• Strong fundamental understanding of mechanical, thermal, electrical, and physical properties of materials.

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• tesla.com
• youtube.com