Embedded Software Engineer
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Job Description
About Company
This opportunity is with Tesla, specifically within the Tesla Energy division.
The Internship Recruiting Team at Tesla is dedicated to identifying and nurturing emerging talent. Their year-round program is designed to place top students in roles where they can achieve significant growth technically, professionally, and personally. This is facilitated through close collaboration with a Manager, Mentor, and team. The program aims to provide a comprehensive experience of life at Tesla, engaging interns in projects that are crucial to their respective teams’ success.
Job Description: Embedded Software Engineer (Intern)
Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer (Intern)
Department/Team: Tesla Energy, a small team focused on energy management and control applications.
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Internship Period:
• Start Date: Expected August/September 2025.
• Duration: Continues through the entire Fall term (approximately December 2025) or potentially extends into Winter/Spring 2026, if availability permits. A minimum commitment of 12 weeks is required.
• Work Arrangement: Full-time and on-site.
Role Overview:
Tesla Energy is seeking an Embedded Software Engineer intern to join a specialized team. The role is ideal for candidates with experience in low-level software, including drivers, kernel porting to new hardware, firmware development, boot loaders, and general hardware/software bring-up and debugging. A background in low-latency and real-time systems is particularly valued. The team is looking for individuals with a high capacity to learn and quickly adapt to new technical topics. Strong proficiency in C programming and exceptional debugging skills are essential for success in this position.
Responsibilities:
• Deliver high-quality system-level software for various hardware components.
• Integrate packaging and build systems for diverse software components.
• Collaborate closely with various internal teams, including Hardware, Applications, QA, Validation, and Manufacturing.
• Work with validation teams to develop effective test strategies and plans.
• Execute driver development, board bring-up, and enablement of new hardware on Embedded Linux platforms.
Requirements:
• Education: Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• Firmware: Experience with the development and debugging of firmware such as u-boot or coreboot.
• Security: Familiarity with security features including SELinux, TLS, verified boot, and trusted execution environments.
• System Development: Experience with real-time and low-latency software development.
• Linux Environments: Familiarity with Linux build environments such as Buildroot, Yocto, and Linux from Scratch.
• Communication Technologies: Experience with communication standards and technologies like WiFi, ZigBee, mesh networking, and cellular networks.
• Programming/Scripting: Comfortable with Go, Python, shell scripting, make, and similar tools.
Special Considerations for International Students:
• If your work authorization is through CPT, it is critical to consult your school regarding your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying.
• You must be able to work 40 hours per week on-site.
• Many students may have restrictions limiting them to part-time work during the academic year, so confirmation of full-time authorization is crucial.
Benefits (As a full-time Tesla Intern):
• Medical Plans: Aetna PPO and HSA plans, with two medical plan options including one with $0 payroll deduction.
• Family Benefits: Benefits for family-building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy.
• Dental & Vision: Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both with a $0 payroll contribution option.
• HSA Contribution: Company-paid Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA.
• FSAs: Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Financial Benefits: 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits.
• Insurance: Company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, and short-term disability insurance.
• Support Programs: Employee Assistance Program.
• Time Off: Sick time after 90 days of employment and Paid Holidays.
• Parenting Support: Back-up childcare and parenting support resources.
• Voluntary Benefits: Critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance.
• Commuter Benefits: Commuter benefits.
• Employee Perks: Employee discounts and perks program.
Expected Compensation:
• Pay Range: $20.00 – $50.00 per hour, plus benefits.
• Variability: The actual pay offered may vary based on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
• Total Package: The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the specific offer. Details of participation in benefit plans will be provided upon receiving an offer of employment.
