Internship, Climate Controls Calibration Engineer, Vehicle Controls (Summer 2026)

Consider before submitting an application:

This position is expected to start May 2026 and continue through summer term (ending approximately August 2026 or later, if available). We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) 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.

About the Team:

At Tesla, we develop all algorithms for our innovative Climate Control System entirely in-house. As a Climate Controls Calibration Engineer Intern, you will play a supportive role in ensuring these algorithms deliver a consistently excellent user experience across diverse environments and vehicle variants. You'll contribute to our vision of a "touchless" HVAC user experience, where the vehicle intuitively maintains occupant comfort without manual input. Under the guidance of experienced engineers, you will learn to apply first principles of Climate Control Systems and human thermal comfort theory to identify potential gaps in our algorithms, assisting in the development and calibration of solutions to address these gaps.

Your tasks will include supporting the tracking of customer feedback through various channels, helping to reproduce issues, conducting root cause analysis, and aiding in the testing of robust solutions. Additionally, you will assist in calibrating and updating climate control algorithms for new vehicle models regularly brought to market. You'll gain exposure to one of the most vertically integrated Climate Control Systems in the industry, with algorithms covering multi-zone temperature control, automatic defog and defrosting, air-quality management, user interface interaction, and automated seat cooling/heating and steering wheel heating functions-all developed by a dedicated team of Tesla engineers.

Occasional travel will be part of this internship, offering you a broader perspective on real-world system performance. This role provides a unique opportunity to grow through mentorship, build hands-on skills in algorithm development and customer-focused engineering, and lay a strong foundation for a career in automotive technology.

• Support Climate Controls Calibration for new programs which includes developing and validating calibration updates as well as managing the bring up of the climate controls stack by connecting with both hardware and software collaborators, managing priorities and expectations, feeding back test results and concerns in order to create uncompromised climate comfort experience
• Monitor, investigate, and root-cause customer feedback of climate control performance
• Develop and validate calibration updates to and improve performance of climate control functions like temperature control, defog/defrost, auto seat heating/cooling, air quality management, etc.
• Identify fundamental gaps in existing climate control algorithms and work with controls and firmware engineers to drive improvements
• Push to improve Tesla's technology in climate control systems towards the goal of a "touchless" climate control system
• Regularly execute test plans to ensure stability of the customer experience across changing seasons and vehicle platforms/variants
• Scope-out, coordinate, and execute regular test-trips to various climatic conditions to develop, verify, and sign-off on climate control algorithm and calibration updates
• Be the voice of the customer when new HVAC hardware is being designed

• Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or related field, with a graduation date between April 2026 - May 2027
• Strong grasp of heat-transfer fundamentals, HVAC systems, and concepts of human thermal comfort
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, plan, and execute experiments on any practical thermal problem
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, triage issues systematically, and develop, test, and iterate solutions methodically and rigorously
• Basic proficiency with Embedded Software in C/C++
• Experience in a calibration role, preferred

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 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

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.