Internship, AI Engineer, Self-Driving (Winter/Spring 2026)

Tesla•Palo Alto, CA

1d•$100,000 - $150,000

About The Position

Tesla is seeking exceptional Machine Learning Interns to help build large scale models to drive the future of autonomy across all current and future generations of Tesla AI products. You will work on a lean team without boundaries and have access to one of the world’s largest training clusters with a data engine that constantly generates new information for improving our models. Most importantly, you will see your work repeatedly shipped to and utilized by millions of Tesla’s customers. We are seeking Interns in the following AI disciplines: Train large-scale foundation and generative models that are optimized for performance and latency Improve data engine for large scale and high-quality dataset curation Reinforcement Learning for instilling objectives and improving overall robustness Design compound AI systems for better planning and reasoning Applied research in the areas of Foundation Models, including but not limited to computer vision, large language models and generative modeling Work on cutting-edge techniques in AI - multi-task learning, video networks, multi-modal generative models, imitation learning, reinforcement learning, semi-supervised learning, self-supervised learning Explore and implement novel AI tooling and techniques for efficient training and fine-tuning of large-scale models Leverage millions of miles of driving data and interventions to build a robust and scalable end-to-end learning based self-driving system Collaborate with a team to apply research findings to real-world challenges, ensuring high-quality system integration within existing platforms Experiment with data generation and network driven data collection approaches to enhance the diversity and quality of training data Ship production quality, safety-critical software to the entirety of Tesla’s vehicle fleet

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in machine learning frameworks and models such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, GPT, CNNs, and generative models
Strong experience with Python and software engineering best practices
Experience with one or more of imitation Learning, reinforcement learning (offline/off-policy), modern neural network architectures (e.g., GPT, diffusion, generative models), or related techniques
An “under the hood” knowledge of deep learning: layer details, loss functions, optimization, etc.
Prior experience with sparse training techniques, neural network pruning, and generative modeling
Experience with training large models on distributed computing
Ability to work on complex problems and produce significant research and/or experience deploying production ML models at scale
Proven track record of innovations and executions in deep learning, demonstrated with shipping products or first-author publications at leading AI conferences

Responsibilities

Train large-scale foundation and generative models that are optimized for performance and latency
Improve data engine for large scale and high-quality dataset curation
Reinforcement Learning for instilling objectives and improving overall robustness
Design compound AI systems for better planning and reasoning
Applied research in the areas of Foundation Models, including but not limited to computer vision, large language models and generative modeling
Work on cutting-edge techniques in AI - multi-task learning, video networks, multi-modal generative models, imitation learning, reinforcement learning, semi-supervised learning, self-supervised learning
Explore and implement novel AI tooling and techniques for efficient training and fine-tuning of large-scale models
Leverage millions of miles of driving data and interventions to build a robust and scalable end-to-end learning based self-driving system
Collaborate with a team to apply research findings to real-world challenges, ensuring high-quality system integration within existing platforms
Experiment with data generation and network driven data collection approaches to enhance the diversity and quality of training data
Ship production quality, safety-critical software to the entirety of Tesla’s vehicle fleet

Benefits

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