Internship, Chemical Engineer, Cell Engineering (Spring/Winter 2025)

What to Expect

Consider before submitting an application:  

This position is expected to start around August/September 2024 and continue through the entire Fall term (i.e. through December 2024) or into Spring 2025 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

Qualified applicants may be reviewed by one or more of the following teams: 

Chemical Engineering

• In this role, interns work directly with engineers and engineering technician on one of areas including mass and energy balance model development, new equipment at mini pilot/pilot scale design-built-commission, and engineering test planning and execution. Seeking candidates with experience with mass and energy balance using Excel and process modeling software like Aspen, SysCAD, HSC.

Crystallization Chemical Engineering

• This internship offers a unique opportunity to be involved in the early stages of a groundbreaking project. You will be supporting the crystallization team, working with engineering and operation departments to prepare for plant commissioning and start-up. Additionally, you will be interfacing with other refinery process areas to assist in making this refinery a success.

Cell Recycling Project Engineering

• As a Project Engineer, will interface with organizations across Tesla, Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Production Planning, Operations, and the Executive team. You will work alongside existing Project engineers to assist with driving the development and deployment of new battery recycling processes.

Lithium Hydrometallurgy Engineering

• Tesla’s Lithium Hydrometallurgy Team is looking for engineering intern for a novel lithium hydroxide facility. You’ll be working alongside a muti-disciplinary team on the design of a first-of-a-kind plant to ensure readiness for both construction and operations. Seeking a candidate who has had exposure to hydrometallurgical, crystallization/solids separation processes and predictive solution chemistry.

Manufacturing Engineering

• This internship will focus on: project development and execution, process conceptualization and scale-up. These efforts are designed to improve the speed, efficiency, and environmental performance of battery material manufacture. You will assist in the day-to-day operation of multiple lab and pilot facilities. You will be a technical contact for one or more process steps and unit operations.

Production Engineering

• As a Production Engineer Intern at Tesla's Lithium Refinery, you will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the production process of lithium compounds used in the manufacturing of Tesla's electric vehicle batteries. This internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment, where you will work alongside a team of experts to optimize and enhance production processes while adhering to Tesla's commitment to sustainability and quality. Additionally, you will actively support commissioning and startup activities of the new refinery. Seeking candidates with basic knowledge of chemical engineering principles and unit operations. Familiarity with data analysis and statistical tools is advantageous.

Cathode Advanced Manufacturing

• Intern will participate in the development, measurement, and production of new cathode active materials and engineering / troubleshooting of the processes / measurements by which these powders are produced. This requires working in a hands-on capactiy with equipment and cathode materials.

Cathode Pilot Manufacturing Engeineering

• As a pilot line manufacturing intern, you will develop systems for operations, training, dashboard visualization of KPIs, inventory management and automation of manufacturing steps at pilot scale, and eventually be the first on-the-ground, technical point of contact for the understanding of how to scale and sustain cathode production quality at our first manufacturing plant in Austin. In this role you will also work closely with Tesla's teams around cathode manufacturing, material characterization, cell testing etc. to coordinate cross-functional activities that improve process control and product quality.

What You’ll Bring

• Currently pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field
• Knowledge of chemistry, thermodynamics, engineering fundamentals, Li-ion batteries, cathode materials, or powder processing
• Proficiency in using engineering software and tools (e.g., MATLAB, AutoCAD, Plant 3D).
• Expereince in ASPEN, Power BI, Tableau, Python, R, TwinCat programming
• Experience in a R&D, powder production equipment, or materials development work