Climate Controls Calibration Engineer Intern

Job Description

About the Company and Internship Program

Tesla is a company known for developing all algorithms for its Climate Control System completely in-house, emphasizing vertical integration in its product development.

This internship position is designed 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 instead.

The internship is expected to begin around August or September 2025 and continue through the Fall term, concluding approximately in December 2025. There is a possibility of extending the internship into Winter/Spring 2026, depending on availability and opportunity. A minimum duration of 12 weeks is required for most internships, which must be full-time and on-site.

For International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, it is crucial to consult your school regarding your ability to work 40 hours per week on-site before applying. Many students may be limited to part-time work during the academic year.

About the Job Role

About The Team
The Climate Controls Calibration team at Tesla plays a critical role in ensuring that the in-house developed climate control algorithms provide a consistently excellent user experience across all vehicle environments and variants. A core objective of the team is to advance towards a “touchless” HVAC user experience, where the vehicle intuitively manages occupant comfort.

Team members leverage a first principles understanding of Climate Control Systems and human thermal comfort theory to identify and address gaps in existing algorithms. This involves developing and calibrating solutions to close these gaps. A regular part of the job includes tracking customer feedback through various channels, reproducing issues, conducting root-cause analysis, and developing and testing robust solutions. The team also plays a crucial role in calibrating and updating climate control algorithms for new vehicles that Tesla regularly introduces to the market.

The work involves one of the most vertically integrated Climate Control Systems in the industry, covering a wide range of algorithms such as multi-zone temperature control, automatic defog and defrosting, air-quality management, user interface interaction, and automatic seat cooling/heating and steering wheel heating functions—all developed by a small internal team. Regular travel will be an essential part of this role.

Responsibilities
The Climate Controls Calibration Engineer intern will be responsible for:
• Providing support for Climate Controls Calibration on new programs, including developing and validating calibration updates.
• Managing the bring-up of the climate controls stack by coordinating with both hardware and software collaborators, managing priorities and expectations, and providing feedback on test results and concerns to create an uncompromised climate comfort experience.
• Monitoring, investigating, and performing root-cause analysis for customer feedback related to climate control performance.
• Developing and validating calibration updates to enhance the performance of climate control functions, such as temperature control, defog/defrost, auto seat heating/cooling, and air quality management.
• Identifying fundamental gaps in existing climate control algorithms and collaborating with controls and firmware engineers to drive improvements.
• Contributing to the improvement of Tesla’s technology in climate control systems, pushing towards the goal of a “touchless” climate control system.
• Regularly executing test plans to ensure the stability of the customer experience across changing seasons and various vehicle platforms/variants.
• Scoping out, coordinating, and executing regular test-trips to diverse climatic conditions to develop, verify, and sign-off on climate control algorithm and calibration updates.
• Serving as the voice of the customer during the design phase of new HVAC hardware.

Requirements
Candidates for this position should meet the following criteria:
• Education: Currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar field, with an expected graduation date between December 2025 and May 2026.
• Technical Knowledge: Possess a strong grasp of heat-transfer fundamentals, HVAC systems, and concepts of human thermal comfort.
• Experimental Skills: Demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, plan, and execute experiments on practical thermal problems.
• Problem-Solving & Autonomy: Show a demonstrated ability to operate independently, systematically triage issues, and methodically and rigorously develop, test, and iterate solutions.
• Software Proficiency: Have basic proficiency with Embedded Software in C/C++.
• Experience (Preferred): Experience in a calibration role is preferred.

Benefits & Compensation

As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including:
• Medical Plans: Aetna PPO and HSA plans, offering two medical plan options, with one option featuring a $0 payroll deduction.
• Family-Building Benefits: Coverage for fertility, adoption, and surrogacy.
• Dental & Vision Plans: Options for dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, with one option for $0 payroll contribution for each.
• HSA Contribution: Company-paid Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• Financial Benefits: Access to 401(k), Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits.
• Company-Paid Insurance: 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: Options for critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance.
• Commuter Benefits.
• Employee Discounts and Perks Program.

Expected Compensation
The expected compensation for this position ranges from $36.06 to $56.12 per hour, plus benefits. The actual pay offered may vary based 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 specific position offered. Detailed information regarding participation in these benefit plans will be provided upon an offer of employment.

Nice-to-have skills
• C
• C++
• Embedded Software

Work experience
• Electronics Engineering

Languages
• English