Tesla
Internship, Firmware Engineer, AI Hardware (Fall 2025)
Tesla, Palo Alto, California, United States, 94306
What to Expect
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start around January 2026 and continue through the Winter/Spring term (ending approximately May 2026) or continuing into Summer 2026 if available and there is an opportunity to do so. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time 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. 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. This intern will support Tesla's Autopilot embedded firmware team. The Silicon firmware team develops firmware for high-availability security and safety bare-metal platforms both, inside and outside of vehicles. This is a great opportunity for interns wanting to gain a deeper understanding of computers functioning at the lowest levels and make an impact on the highest visibility bleeding edge technology at Tesla. Multiple Locations Possible: Palo Alto, CA; Austin, TX What You'll Do
C development on projects and codebases including bare-metal drivers and RTOS Firmware debug using JTAG debuggers and Oscilloscopes/Logic Analyzers
Host tools development in support of preparing firmware for embedded platforms
Enhancing automation and improving firmware test infrastructures
What You'll Bring
Currently working towards a degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field Strong proficiency in C, C++, Rust, Python, andAssembly Understanding fundamentals of real-time operating system (RTOS) principles Deep knowledge in advanced computer architecture, micro-architecture concepts, and embedded systems Academic understanding of ARM and RISC-V core architectures Bonus: Experience developing drivers for common low-level device peripherals (UART, I2C, SPI, watchdogs, timers, DMA and non-volatile storage)
Compensation and Benefits
Benefits
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for: Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Employee Assistance Program Sick time after 90 days of employment 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 Expected Compensation $20.00 - $55.00/hour + benefits
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start around January 2026 and continue through the Winter/Spring term (ending approximately May 2026) or continuing into Summer 2026 if available and there is an opportunity to do so. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time 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. 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. This intern will support Tesla's Autopilot embedded firmware team. The Silicon firmware team develops firmware for high-availability security and safety bare-metal platforms both, inside and outside of vehicles. This is a great opportunity for interns wanting to gain a deeper understanding of computers functioning at the lowest levels and make an impact on the highest visibility bleeding edge technology at Tesla. Multiple Locations Possible: Palo Alto, CA; Austin, TX What You'll Do
C development on projects and codebases including bare-metal drivers and RTOS Firmware debug using JTAG debuggers and Oscilloscopes/Logic Analyzers
Host tools development in support of preparing firmware for embedded platforms
Enhancing automation and improving firmware test infrastructures
What You'll Bring
Currently working towards a degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field Strong proficiency in C, C++, Rust, Python, andAssembly Understanding fundamentals of real-time operating system (RTOS) principles Deep knowledge in advanced computer architecture, micro-architecture concepts, and embedded systems Academic understanding of ARM and RISC-V core architectures Bonus: Experience developing drivers for common low-level device peripherals (UART, I2C, SPI, watchdogs, timers, DMA and non-volatile storage)
Compensation and Benefits
Benefits
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for: Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Employee Assistance Program Sick time after 90 days of employment 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 Expected Compensation $20.00 - $55.00/hour + benefits
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.