Summer 2027
Physics Engine Development Engineer Intern
Optimus
Posted on 9/2/2026
Tesla
10,001+ employees
EVs and integrated renewable energy solutions
No salary listed
Palo Alto, CA, USA
In Person
Must work on-site in Palo Alto, California, 40 hours per week.
Bachelor's
 AI & Machine Learning (1) |
|---|
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- Currently pursuing a degree in Physics, Mathematics, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, with a graduation date between 2026 and 2027.
- Extensive experience in robotics physics engine development, supported by first-author publications or impactful projects.
- Deep understanding of algorithm complexity and data structures.
- Deep understanding of control theory.
- Familiarity with compiler principles and differentiable simulations.
- Exceptional skills in C++, Python, CUDA, and GPU programming.
- Develop physics-based, high-fidelity simulation modules for robotics applications, ensuring accurate and reliable modeling of complex systems.
- Optimize simulation performance to achieve high throughput while preserving simulation fidelity.
- Collaborate with the training and hardware design teams to minimize the sim-to-real gap from all angles and perspectives.
Tesla designs and sells electric vehicles and renewable energy products. Its cars (Model S, 3, X, Y, and Roadster) run on battery power, with a semi-autonomous Autopilot driving system and a global network of fast-charging stations called Superchargers. The company also provides solar panels, Solar Roof, and energy storage products (Powerwall, Powerpack, Megapack) to generate and store clean energy for homes and businesses. Tesla operates with a vertically integrated model, manufacturing key components (batteries, drivetrains) and selling directly to customers via its website and stores, while earning revenue from vehicle and energy product sales and regulatory credits. Its goal is to speed up the world’s transition to sustainable energy by combining mobility and energy solutions in one ecosystem.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Austin, Texas
Founded
2003
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Tesla started Cybercab rides in Austin on September 3, 2026.
- Tesla's Q2 2026 revenue reached $28.24 billion, with record 480,126 deliveries.
- Hong Kong and Macau gained a cheaper Model 3 on August 30, 2026.
What critics are saying
- NHTSA opened AQ26002 on September 4, 2026, probing Cybercab FMVSS certification.
- Tesla's Q2 2026 operating margin fell to 1.4%, crushing earnings leverage.
- If Cybercab stalls, Tesla remains a low-margin carmaker with fading credit revenue.
What makes Tesla unique
- Tesla controls EVs, batteries, software, charging, and sales in one stack.
- Supercharger access and direct sales still reduce friction versus legacy automakers.
- AI5, AI6, and Dojo3 keep Tesla controlling autonomy and robotaxi compute.
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Benefits
Remote Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -2%1 year growth
↓ -2%2 year growth
↓ -3%Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that the Cybercab's electric motor operates without rare earth metals whilst maintaining the same range as conventional motors. "This was extremely hard to achieve," Musk said on X. The motor is 18% smaller and 25% lighter than its counterparts, according to Tesla investor Sawyer Merritt. The design could help Tesla navigate potential supply chain disruptions, as China dominates the global rare-earth supply chain, particularly for permanent-magnet production. However, investor Gary Black remains critical of the Cybercab launch. "Despite efforts to control the narrative, Tesla's Cybercab event was largely a bust," he wrote on X, citing lack of detail and unanswered questions about deployment plans. Regulatory uncertainty also exists due to the vehicle's absence of traditional controls like a steering wheel and pedals.
Tesla unveiled its autonomous Cybercab at an invitation-only event in Austin on Thursday, showcasing gold-coloured two-door vehicles with butterfly doors and no steering wheel or brake pedals. The company's Cybercab lead, Eric Earley, presented the fleet whilst CEO Elon Musk did not appear. Tesla shares initially rose 7% ahead of the event but fell 6% in Friday trading after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced an investigation. Regulators are examining how Tesla self-certified the vehicles meet federal safety standards despite lacking conventional manual controls. The agency will review Tesla's certification process and technical data, particularly regarding determinations that certain federal motor vehicle safety standards are inapplicable to the Cybercab. The rollout provided few details about commercial deployment beyond plans to expand from Austin to other locations.
Tesla shares dipped nearly 1% in overnight trading as US safety regulators began evaluating the company's Cybercab rollout. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is examining the two-seat autonomous vehicle, which lacks steering wheels, pedals and mirrors typically required under safety standards. The Cybercab showcase sparked backlash among retail investors due to the absence of a public livestream. Traders questioned why Tesla would not publicly demonstrate a product central to its valuation story. Sentiment on Stocktwits slipped to 59/100 as message volume surged 94%. Some users characterised the presentation as a "sell-the-news" setup, whilst others raised concerns about consumer adoption and regulatory constraints. Despite the criticism, TSLA shares rose 5% on Thursday and gained 8% for the week.
Elon Musk acknowledged that his companies are shifting from promises to tangible deliverables, responding "True" to a post noting robotaxis, Optimus production, and infrastructure progress. Central to this is Terafab, a semiconductor facility in Texas backed by Tesla and SpaceX. The companies will invest $16.8 billion initially, employing at least 3,000 people. A May filing outlined potential expansion to $119 billion across additional phases. Intel will manufacture chips at Terafab for Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, producing components for Optimus robots, Cybercabs, and space-based data centres. ARK Invest estimates the project could eventually require $1 trillion in total investment. Tesla reported $143.3 million in 2025 revenue from SpaceX, primarily vehicle sales.
Tesla is set to unveil its Cybercab at an event on Thursday at its Austin, Texas, headquarters. The company first showed a prototype in 2024 and has since operated a pilot ride-hail programme in Austin, expanding to other cities in Texas and Florida. Tesla recently added 51 Cybercabs to its fleet of vehicles registered in Texas. CEO Elon Musk has said the company will sell Cybercabs directly to consumers before the end of 2026, though the business model remains unclear. The Cybercab's success depends on Tesla proving its camera-only autonomous driving system works at scale. The company's Full Self-Driving product currently requires driver supervision, and regulators are investigating crashes involving the system in poor visibility conditions.