Internship, Product Security Engineer, Vehicle Software (Winter/Spring 2027)

Tesla Motors, Inc.
38.00 - 53.00 USD
paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
United States, California, Palo Alto
Aug 15, 2026
What to Expect Consider before submitting an application: This position is expected to start January or February 2027 and continue through spring term (ending approximately March 2027 or later, if available). We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time (40 hours/week) and on-site, for most internships. Our internship program is 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, not internships. International Students: If your work authorization is through CPT, please consult your school on your ability to work 40 hours per week before applying. You must be able to work 40 hours per week on-site. Many students will be limited to part-time during the academic year. About the Team We are looking for a highly motivated student with a strong interest in security to work on Tesla products and future R&D projects. Tesla is building robots that live in the physical world - first on four wheels, now on two legs. As our attack surface grows and these machines assume more physical responsibility, the integrity of the underlying software has never mattered more. A vulnerability at the lowest layers of the system can give an attacker persistent control over the car itself - not just data. It's sort of like giving an outsider the remote to a machine that's already out in traffic. The Product Security team identifies & patches these gaps before they can be exploited, combining offensive audits, defensive hardening, and novel controls to keep platforms secure. Their work ensures the software behind Tesla's autonomy ambitions remains trustworthy as our systems grow more capable. As an intern on the team, you will be expected to analyze system services, operating systems, networks and applications from a security perspective. You will be involved in discovering security issues and recommending patches. You will participate in security audits, risk analysis, vulnerability testing and security reviews. What You'll Do Help ensure Tesla's products are implemented to a high security standard Work with teams to implement, identify and advance security at Tesla Conduct vulnerability tests and risk assessments in source code and on Linux devices Work with Tesla teams and external suppliers to drive remediation Help to design a secure connected vehicle architecture Audit embedded code to identify security vulnerabilities Work with vendors, partners, and other Tesla teams to drive remediation Conduct risk assessments to prioritize threats and compare mitigation strategies Assist design teams in developing secure automotive systems This is not a Red Team role and you will not do pentesting What You'll Bring Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science or a related field of study with a graduation date between December 2026 - December 2027 Strong investigative and analytical problem-solving skills Experience with one or more of the following is required: CTF, secure architecture design, writing secure source code Deep understanding of fuzzing, static analysis, sandboxing, and defending against common vulnerabilities Technical experience with one or more of the following: Go, Rust, C, C++, x86, ARM, CAN, cryptography, exploit development Proficiency in software development, auditing code and features Automotive & hardware experience a plus but not required Compensation and Benefits Benefits 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 Expected Compensation $38.00 - $53.00/hour + benefits Pay offered may vary depending 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 position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.