Interior Design Intern

Job Description

About Company

Tesla’s Internship Program is a year-round initiative dedicated to identifying and developing emerging talent. The program aims to foster technical, professional, and personal growth in students by placing them in critical roles where they work closely with their managers, mentors, and teams. Interns are fully integrated into projects vital to their team’s success, providing a comprehensive experience of life at Tesla.

About The Team

Interns joining the Tesla Design Team become active participants in live studio projects, functioning as productive team members. The team maintains high expectations, viewing the internship as a crucial evaluation for prospective full-time hires. The Design Team prides itself on being multitalented and flexible, seeking similar qualities in potential candidates. While the primary focus is on creating interior designs for future cars, interns may also be involved in other design tasks such as graphic design or product design, depending on their skillset. Interns are expected to be self-motivated, manage their time effectively, and drive their respective projects. All work is highly confidential and cannot be shared externally. However, there is typically scope for interns to undertake a personal project for use in degree shows and portfolios, with the nature and content decided on a case-by-case basis. The Tesla Design Studio is located in Hawthorne, CA.

Job Description

What To Expect (Logistics)

• Start Date: Approximately January 2026.
• Duration: Continues through the Winter/Spring term (ending approximately May 2026), with potential extension into Summer 2026 if available. A minimum of 12 weeks is required.
• Work Arrangement: Full-time (40 hours per week) and on-site.
• Eligibility: The program is exclusively for actively enrolled students in an academic program. Recent graduates not returning to school should apply for full-time positions.
• International Students: Those with CPT work authorization must confirm their ability to work 40 hours per week on-site with their school before applying, as many may have part-time limitations during the academic year.

What You’ll Do (Responsibilities)

• Develop interior design proposals for Tesla vehicles, covering broad design themes and component-level designs.
• Create compelling sketches that visualize the future of Tesla interior design.
• Potentially guide designs from the sketch phase through concept modeling (in Alias or clay) and possibly to A-class surfacing.
• Collaborate with engineers to develop design and engineering solutions.
• Work with color and trim designers to create designs that consider CMF (Color, Materials, Finish) opportunities.
• Participate in non-vehicle design efforts as needed, based on individual skillset.

What You’ll Bring (Requirements/Qualifications)

• Education: Currently pursuing a degree in Transportation Design, Vehicle Design, Automotive Design, or a related field.
• Design Skills: Strong ability to work on both exterior and interior design.
• Technical Knowledge: Technical knowledge of prototyping, manufacturing, and assembly processes related to automobiles is a plus.
• Modeling Skills: High level of skill in transitioning 2D sketches to 3D modeling using poly modeling, Alias, and clay.
• Collaboration: Excellent at creating and maintaining cross-functional working relationships.
• Communication: Exceptional visual and oral communication skills.
• Work Ethic: Must be self-motivated and capable of managing multiple parallel-path projects.
• Portfolio: All candidates MUST submit a portfolio/personal website to be considered for this position.

Benefits

As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical: Two Aetna PPO and HSA plan options, with one offering $0 payroll deduction.
• Family Benefits: Family-building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental & Vision: Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, with one option offering a $0 payroll contribution.
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Company-paid HSA contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Medical Plan with HSA.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs.
• 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, Back-up childcare, and parenting support resources.
• Time Off: Sick time after 90 days of employment and Paid Holidays.
• Voluntary Benefits: Critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance.
• Perks: Commuter benefits, Employee discounts, and perks program.

Expected Compensation

• Hourly Pay: $20.00 – $50.00/hour + benefits.
• Variability: Pay offered may vary based on individualized factors such as market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package may also include other elements.