Customer & Field Quality Engineer Intern, Cell Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027)
BS-level Quality / Testing roles on Crosslinked list a median of $110k (161 that show pay). This posting does not list pay.
Support field quality and containment for 4680 lithium-ion cells, analyzing data to drive improvements.
Worth knowing
Why it is interesting. Direct exposure to Tesla's in-house 4680 cell manufacturing and fleet-wide quality data.
Might not be for you. Quality/containment focus with heavy data analysis, not hands-on materials R&D.
Adjacent materials roleInterest in or exposure to lithium-ion cells or high-volume manufacturing is preferred; quality/reliability of 4680 cells
H-1B filings
Tesla filed 1,327 H-1B labor applications for scientist and engineer roles from Jan to Dec 2025.
Most common titles: Sr Manufacturing Engineer, Sr Process Engineer, Sr Mechanical Design Engineer. Median filed pay: $138K a year.
From U.S. Department of Labor disclosure data. A filing is a record of past hiring, not a promise about this role, so confirm sponsorship with the employer. Titles and filed pay ·Every employer's filings
- Seniority
- Intern/Co-op
- Work
- On-site
- Type
- Internship
- Degree
- BS
- Experience
- 0+ yrs
- Industry
- Automotive
- Role
- Quality / Testing
- Visa
- OPT/CPT eligible
Role details
What to Expect
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start around January 2027 and continue through the entire Spring term (i.e. through May 2027) or into Summer 2027 if available. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time and on-site, for most 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.
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.
What You'll Do
- Interfaces with downstream customers, pack, vehicle, and the field by gathering relevant information on applications and performance of 4680 cells
- Support the containment process as well as any potential escapes, and help close actions that ensure issues cannot reoccur.
- Investigate and collect data on opportunities for improvements to 4680 quality and quantify impact
- Build fundamental understanding of complex technical challenges (design, manufacturing, integration, etc.) based on data collected
- Using a data driven approach to turn opportunities into actionable tasks that can be deployed to engineering teams, then track those actions to closure
- Support tracking of KPIs that describe the performance of the fleet across all in-house cell manufacturing
- Support detailed risk assessments at the product and manufacturing level to identify opportunity and help drive mitigation of risks
- Interface with reliability engineering teams to help implement findings from the field, lifetime testing as well as abuse engineering.
What You'll Bring
- Currently pursuing a degree in a technical discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Materials, Industrial, or related engineering), or a related field
- Coursework, academic projects, research, or prior internships in quality, reliability, manufacturing, or a related field preferred. Professional work experience is not required.
- Interest in or exposure to lithium-ion cells or high-volume manufacturing is preferred (coursework, labs, or projects are sufficient).
- Ability to analyze data sets to draw conclusions. Data analysis skills using platforms and languages such as SQL, Python, Tableau, MATLAB, JMP, etc. (coursework or project experience is sufficient).
- Familiarity with quality problem-solving methods such as Six Sigma, 8D, or root cause analysis from coursework or projects.
- Coursework or project experience with statistical analysis – AQL, process capability, SPC, etc. is a plus.
- Detail oriented, with the ability to effectively handle multiple priorities.
- Strong verbal, written, and presentation communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across teams.
- Ability to meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment
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
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor 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.
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