Internship, Embedded Software Engineer, Optimus (Fall 2025)

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start around August or September 2025 and continue through the Fall term (ending approximately December 2025) orcontinuinginto Winter/Spring 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.

As a Firmware Engineer Intern, you will play a role in developing embedded platform drivers, application layer code for various robotics applications or validation platforms for our Optimus platform. You will develop scalable drivers to interface with an ASIC or bring up a new communication protocol or optimize existing drivers to improve performance or write application-level modules to achieve a specific function on a given subsystem or develop infrastructure to validate a given subsystem. The robotics firmware team is small, passionate, and fast moving. Tesla is on a path to building humanoid robots at scale to automate repetitive and boring tasks. Come join a team of deeply knowledgeable engineers that strive to build the most robust and reliable embedded systems using cutting edge software development tools and practices.

• Development of scalable real-time embedded software that implements sensing, control and safety management of the Optimus actuators
• Bring up new sensors, communication networks and new PCBA for various robotic applications
• Develop automated tests to ensure high quality software releases and accurate functionality
• Be involved in the full life cycle of firmware development from concept through integration, test, and release as our fleet of robot grows
• Work closely with the hardware and controls team to specify hardware actuation, sensing requirements and influence electronics designs

• Pursuing a degree inComputer Science, Physics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field of study with a graduation date between December 2025 -May 2026
• Proficiency in C, familiarity with Python is a plus
• Relevant experience in real-time embedded software development
• Experience with reading electrical schematics and understanding circuit behavior
• Knowledge of microcontroller peripherals such as ADC, PWM, SPI and I2C, ethernet and CAN
• Experience working with sensors and digital signal processing
• Experience working with the physical and data link layers of ethernet and/or other communication protocols
• Relevant experience in real-time embedded software development

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

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.