Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Thermofluids Analyst Engineer Intern - Energy Engineering

Thermal & Fluids EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

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

About the Job

Requirements

The candidate must be currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
The candidate must have an excellent first-principles understanding of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, combustion dynamics, and thermodynamics, with relevant experience.
The candidate must have experience using MATLAB and/or Python to build physics-based one-dimensional models.
The candidate must have strong fundamentals in finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics, with demonstrated experience.
The candidate must have experience modeling, testing, and designing batteries or similar high-energy, safety-critical systems.
The candidate must be familiar with manufacturing processes and practical design limitations.
The candidate must be able to relate modeling results to design ramifications and product-level impacts.
The candidate must be able to communicate technical information effectively and work collaboratively.
The candidate must be available for at least 12 weeks, work full-time (40 hours per week), and work on-site.
International students whose work authorization is through Curricular Practical Training should consult their school before applying and must be able to work 40 hours per week.

Responsibilities

Own in-depth modeling of gas distribution, combustion dynamics, and thermal propagation to drive design concepts and detailed design decisions for new and existing energy battery systems.
Balance physics-based one-dimensional analytical models with higher-fidelity computational fluid dynamics, finite element analysis, and empirical approaches to efficiently drive product safety design and performance.
Anchor modeling results to test data to validate models and ensure safety performance accuracy.
Collaborate with design engineers to iterate on design strategies and optimize performance and system metrics at the detailed component and system levels.
Support programs throughout the full life cycle, including specification development, modeling, prototype builds, testing, and production.
Support execution of system safety failure mode and effects analysis and design validation plans in collaboration with parallel validation and safety test engineering teams.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with STAR-CCM+, Fire Dynamics Simulator, and FLACS is strongly preferred.
CAD modeling experience is preferred.

Category	Energy Engineering
Location	Palo Alto, California
Requisition ID	285057
Type	Intern/Apprentice

Job Description

Consider before submitting an application: This position is expected to start January 2027 and continue through the entire Winter/Spring term (i.e through April/May 2027) or into Summer 2027 if available. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site, for most internships.International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week. 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. Tesla Energy is bringing battery, solar, and charging technologies to the grid, establishing new industries and defining the future of renewable energy ecosystems. This team is at the forefront of how we will generate, distribute, and consume power today and in the future. Our team is composed of individuals who are fast-moving, self-motivated, who love to solve difficult problems, and are team players. As a thermofluids analyst on the Safety Systems Design Team, you will model and drive the design of battery energy systems in abusive and thermal-runaway scenarios to ensure and maintain Tesla’s robust safety record. You will explore physical phenomena and design sensitivities against Tesla’s core safety requirements. You will be the first-principles, physics-based guide to create an end-to-end safety case for our products. The role is collaborative and cross-functional, requiring extensive interfacing with teams including systems engineering, parallel design teams, electrical/firmware engineering, and abuse testing, to name a few. This role requires the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to design battery systems that are at the core of Tesla’s success. Location: Palo Alto, CA

Job Responsibilities

Own in-depth modeling of gas distribution, combustion dynamics, and thermal propagation to drive design concepts and detailed design decisions for the new and existing Tesla Energy battery systems
Balance physics-based 1D analytical models with higher fidelity CFD/FEA and empirical approaches to efficiently drive product safety design and performance
Anchor and relate modeling results to test data to validate models and ensure accuracy of safety performance
Collaborate with design engineers to iterate on design strategies and optimize performance/system metrics at the detailed component and system level
Support programs through the entire life cycle including spec development, modeling, prototype builds, test, and production
Support execution of system safety FMEA and design validation plans, in collaboration with parallel validation and safety test engineering teams

Job Requirements

Currently pursuing a Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Excellent first principles understanding of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, combustion dynamics, and thermodynamics with relevant experience
MATLAB and/or Python experience for building physics-based 1D models
Strong fundamentals in FEA/CFD with demonstrated experience. Experience with STAR CCM, FDS, and FLACS strongly preferred
Experience modeling, testing, and designing batteries or similar high-energy, safety-critical systems
CAD modeling experience preferred
Familiarity with manufacturing processes and practical design limitations
Ability to relate modeling results to design ramifications and product-level impacts
Collaborative team player with strong technical communication and bias towards action-oriented solutions

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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