Internship, CMF Design, Design Studio (Winter/Spring 2026)
About this internship
Tesla is offering an on-site CMF (Color, Material, and Finish) Design internship within its Design Studio in Hawthorne, CA for Winter/Spring 2026. In this role, you’ll likely support automotive CMF design work through visual development and presentations alongside the team. Pay is listed at $20–$50 per hour, and candidates should be currently pursuing a degree related to color/material, transportation, industrial, or textile design.
Qualifications
Required
- Currently working towards a degree in Color and Material Design, Transportation Design, Industrial Design, or Textile Design
- Strong background and/or interest in Automotive Color, Material and Finish Design
- Exceptional visual, communication, and presentation skills
Nice to have
- A portfolio that highlights CMF-focused projects, including color stories, material palettes, and finish explorations.
- Experience creating clear presentation boards and visual narratives for design reviews.
- Comfort discussing design decisions and incorporating feedback in an iterative process.
- Interest in automotive trends and the way color, material, and finish choices impact perception and user experience.
- Strong attention to detail when documenting CMF concepts (e.g., naming, organization, and consistency across visuals).
How to stand out (TUN tip)
When you apply, tailor your portfolio to emphasize automotive CMF work: include a few projects with your process (inspiration, exploration, rationale, and final direction) and concise captions. If your background spans multiple design areas, lead with the pieces that best demonstrate visual communication and presentation strength.