Appearance Quality Internship

Job Description

About the Role
This internship position, located in Austin, TX, is part of Tesla’s program to develop emerging talent. You will be part of the Design Quality Team, where you will develop skills and learn the process for approving vehicle appearance parts for color, quality, and harmony. This involves engaging with suppliers to provide direction and approval, and interfacing with Design and Engineering to ensure design intent and champion product development.

What You’ll Do
• Engage with suppliers to provide color and appearance direction based on the product target and approval or rejecting parts
• Review cosmetic parts for color, finish, surface quality and tactile feel
• Conduct vehicle reviews to assess technical perceived and aesthetic quality of interior and exterior components – throughout development stages
• Coordinate with Tesla Product Excellence/Industrialization Teams to support color and appearance harmony reviews
• Manage timing, parts documents (AARs) and the supply base through the supplier portal
• Assist in the development and design of various vehicle engineering parts as well as manufacturing processes
• Troubleshoot prototype parts with Tesla’s design and manufacturing to solve appearance issues at source

You’re a Good Fit If You
• Currently pursuing a degree in Vehicle / Industrial Design, Desing- focused Engineering or a related field
• Basic to intermediate knowledge of Automotive Color, Materials and Finish Design
• Basic to intermediate knowledge of materials: textiles, leather, PUR, vacuum forming, colorants, paints, plating
• Working knowledge of automotive components
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools
• Strong communication skills and confidence when giving feedback.
• Exceptional visual and presentation skills
• Must meet minimum requirement for Color Blindness and Color Vision Skill Test (test will be administered during interview process

Bonus Qualifications
• Understanding of color quality assessment process strongly preferred
• Process/assembly knowledge: injection molding is a plus

Role Highlights & Compensation
• Position expected to start August or September 2026 and continue through fall term (ending approximately December 2026 or later, if available).
• Minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site for most internships.
• Program is for students who are actively enrolled in an academic program.
• International Students: If work authorization is through CPT, ability to work 40 hours per week on-site is required.
• As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:
• Medical plans > 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 (90 day waiting period)
• 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