Internship, Backend Software Engineer, Diagnostics (Fall 2025)
Tesla
Internship, Backend Software Engineer, Diagnostics (Fall 2025)
| Job Category | Vehicle Software |
|---|---|
| Location | PALO ALTO, California |
| Req. ID | 240872 |
| Job Type | Intern/Apprentice |
Consider before submitting an application:
This position is expected to start around August or September 2025 and continue through the Fall term (ending approximately December 2025) or continuing into Winter/Spring 2026 if available and there is an opportunity to do so. We ask for a minimum of 12 weeks, full-time 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
At Tesla, Service Engineering exists uniquely at the intersection of firmware/hardware design, service, diagnostics, manufacturing, quality, and reliability. Service Engineering multiplies efforts of service in the areas of diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance, while simultaneously reducing the need for each. Our mission is to ensure that customers’ vehicles are diagnosed accurately, reliably, and as quickly as possible with the feedback mechanisms to enable continuous improvement of diagnostics. Our vision is to have a diagnostic strategy and software that ensures our vehicles do not have to come to service for diagnosis. Your application for the Backend Software Engineer, Diagnostics will be considered across the teams below:
Automation: The Automated Diagnostics team is committed to building out the capabilities for quickly and accurately diagnosing vehicle issues remotely with limited customer interaction. This team owns the entire customer experience, from the entry point in the Tesla App to providing solutions for self-service or automating service appointments technicians when a repair is necessary.
Onboarding: The Onboard Diagnostics Team focuses on diagnostic and repair firmware that runs on the vehicle. They are responsible for accelerating the speed and reliability of vehicle side diagnostics for Tesla service centers and third parties.
Build out and maintain highly available mission-critical applications and dashboards with appealing visual designs
Contribute to the full software lifecycle including design, development of backend, documentation, testing, deployment, and maintenance
Contribute to our goals of improving diagnostic simplicity, meeting regulatory compliance and building proactive diagnostic systems
Improve and maintain our web-based diagnostics platform
Debug issues in production, root cause and apply fixes in timely manner
Participate in architectural improvements to support our growing user base
Improve application security
Improve reliability, scalability and performance of Tesla’s diagnostic platform
Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field with a graduation date between December 2025 - 2026
Demonstrated ability with SQL and comprehension of complex relational database schemas
Experience with backend languages, libraries, and frameworks (e.g. Python, Golang, Django, Flask)
Previous experience with Rest APIs and building them from scratch
Attention to Detail
Proven ability to work across the stack in a fast-paced environment
Excellent written and verbal communication skills required
Ability to work well with others in a collaborative team environment
A passion for sustainable energy
As a full-time Tesla Intern, you will be eligible for:
- Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick time after 90 days of employment 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
$40.10 - $56.13 + 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.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
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