I&E Intern, Cathode Materials

Description:
As an Intern – Controls & Automation Support, you’ll gain hands-on experience in one of Tesla’s high-volume manufacturing environments, supporting the reliability and performance of critical production equipment. You’ll work alongside experienced Maintenance Technicians and Process Control Engineers to learn how industrial automation systems & instrumentation keep production running smoothly. This is a 24/7 facility, so you’ll be exposed to real-world operations, including shift work and on-call support — giving you a true understanding of how engineering and maintenance teams respond to challenges in real time.

Responsibilities:
Assist in daily monitoring and support of process control systems, including SCADA, HMI, and PLC-based automation
Support troubleshooting of minor control system issues under the guidance of senior technicians (e.g., alarm diagnostics, basic I/O checks)
Learn to read and interpret basic electrical schematics, P&IDs, and I/O lists
Help document and track equipment issues, contributing to maintenance logs and root cause analysis reports
Support the setup and testing of new control system features or upgrades during planned maintenance or capital projects
Shadow technicians during equipment maintenance, repair, and commissioning activities
Practice safe work habits by wearing required PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, and fall protection when applicable and participate in team meetings, safety drills, and technical training sessions

Requirements:
How industrial control systems (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA) support continuous manufacturing
Exposure to servicing instrumentation & other automated systems
Real-world application of electrical, pneumatic, and instrumentation principles
Problem-solving techniques used in fast-paced, high-availability environments
The importance of documentation, safety compliance, and teamwork in production operations
Exposure to greenfield and brownfield project workflows — from design to implementation
Must have command of the English language, both written and verbal

Essential Physical Demands:Willingness to stand, walk, and move around the plant for extended periods
Ability to access equipment in tight or elevated spaces with supervision
Comfortable using hand tools and working with PPE (safety glasses, gloves, etc.
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. with assistance if needed
Not required to work night shifts or be on-call unless part of a structured internship rotation