Internship, Firmware Engineer, New Programs Engineering (Winter/Spring 2026)
About this internship
Tesla is hiring a Firmware Engineer intern for New Programs Engineering for Winter/Spring 2026 in Hawthorne, CA, with on-site work. In this role, you’ll likely support embedded development and low-level firmware coding in C/C++ as part of engineering efforts for electric vehicles. Candidates should be pursuing a degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field, and have experience with C/C++ and embedded development fundamentals. The posted pay range is $20–$50 per hour.
Qualifications
Required
- Pursuing a degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field
- Experience in C/C++
- Solid understanding of embedded development and low-level coding
Nice to have
- Hands-on experience writing and debugging low-level C/C++ code for embedded systems through coursework or personal projects.
- Comfort using debuggers and a structured approach to troubleshooting firmware issues on real hardware.
- Familiarity with embedded concepts such as memory constraints, timing, and peripheral interfaces from classes or projects.
- Ability to read and work with technical documentation (e.g., specifications and hardware notes) to guide implementation.
- Clear communication skills for documenting findings and collaborating with engineers in an on-site environment.
How to stand out (TUN tip)
Before applying, prepare a short project write-up (2–4 bullets) that shows your embedded or low-level work in C/C++, including what the system did, what you specifically built, and how you debugged issues. If you don’t have a full firmware project, you can highlight a class lab or small embedded exercise that demonstrates the same skills. Apply through Tesla’s internships page and tailor your resume keywords to match the posting (C/C++, embedded development, low-level coding).