Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Embedded Software Engineer Intern - Thermal Systems

Embedded EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Internship · Winter 2027, Spring 2027Palo Alto, CA, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

Currently pursuing a degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field of study, with a graduation date between May 2027 and May 2028.
Demonstrate proficiency in C and real-time embedded environments.
Demonstrate proficiency in Python.
Have strong software fundamentals, including firmware architecture, algorithm development, data structures, code modularity, and maintainability.
Have experience working with microcontroller peripherals such as timers, analog-to-digital converters, general-purpose input/output, pulse-width modulation, Serial Peripheral Interface, Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter, Local Interconnect Network, and Inter-Integrated Circuit.
Have hands-on experience with brushed, brushless, or stepper motors and analog sensors or digital encoders.
Be familiar with reading electrical schematics and understanding circuit behavior.
Be able to work 40 hours per week on-site; the internship requires a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time, on-site, for most internships.

Responsibilities

Develop, enhance, and debug new and existing behaviors for coolant, refrigerant, and cabin heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
Drive firmware development in C in a real-time embedded environment for performance, scalability, robustness, and tight integration with hardware.
Perform hands-on hardware bring-up and build and enforce component validation to deliver robust, functional code.
Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and controls engineering teams to produce integrated software-hardware solutions.
Work with cross-functional teams to develop requirements for new thermal-system features, diagnostics, and algorithms.
Architect, design, and implement embedded firmware for motors, actuators, and sensors in the thermal system.
Contribute to developing user-facing features that improve the accuracy and intuitiveness of vehicle cabin heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Deliver high-quality embedded code that runs on Tesla controllers and production lines.

Category	Vehicle Software
Location	PALO ALTO, California
Requisition ID	285797
Type	Intern/Apprentice

Job Description

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. About the team: As an Embedded Software Engineer on the Thermal Systems Software team, you will play a key role in accelerating the delivery and refinement of Tesla-designed thermal systems for all Tesla Vehicles. Your responsibilities will include architecting, designing, and implementing embedded firmware for various motors, actuators, and sensors in the thermal system. Additionally, you will contribute to the development of user-facing features to enhance the accuracy and intuitiveness of the vehicle cabin heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. Tesla Thermal Systems manage the temperature of critical powertrain systems like the battery, drive units and charger, as well as temperature control of the vehicle cabin interior. The thermal management system is one of the biggest consumers of energy in an electric vehicle, making your contributions crucial in improving the efficiency of our vehicles and changing the way the world perceives electric vehicles. You will be responsible for delivering high-quality embedded code that runs on Tesla controllers and production lines.

Job Responsibilities

Develop, enhance and debug new and existing behaviors for the coolant, refrigerant, and cabin HVAC systems
Drive firmware development in C in a real-time embedded environment for performance, scalability, robustness, and tight integration with the hardware
Hands-on with hardware bring up, build and enforce component validation for delivering robust, functional code
Collaborate across disciplines with electrical, mechanical, and controls engineering teams to produce integrated software-hardware solutions
Work with various cross-functional teams to develop requirements for new thermal system features, diagnostics, algorithms, etc.

Job Requirements

Currently pursuing a degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field of study with a graduation date between May 2027 – May 2028
Proficiency in C and real time embedded environments
Proficiency in Python
Strong software fundamentals including firmware architecture, algorithm development, data structures, code modularity, and maintainability
Experience working with microcontroller peripherals such as timers, ADC, GPIO, PWM, SPI, UART, LIN, I2C
Hands on experience with various motor types (brushed, brushless, steppers) and sensor types (analog, digital encoders)
Familiarity with reading electrical schematics and understanding circuit behavior

About the Company

Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Tesla makes electric cars and batteries that store power for homes and utilities, and it develops self-driving software and humanoid robots. In 2023, its Model Y became the first electric vehicle to rank as the world's best-selling car. Buyers order the Model 3 sedan, Model Y SUV, or Cybertruck pickup directly from Tesla instead of through dealers, and they charge on its Supercharger fast-charging network. It also sells Megapack and Powerwall batteries, runs a robotaxi service, and charges drivers a monthly fee for self-driving software that still needs their supervision. Tesla was founded in 2003, with Elon Musk as its lead early investor and a recognized co-founder, and it is based in Austin, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Austin, TX
Founded: 2003

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