I applied online. I interviewed at Tesla (Germany) in Jul 2025
Interview
I applied online via the Tesla careers page and was contacted by recruiting a short time later. First step was an email with some “hard criteria” questions (availability, 6-month full-time internship, enrollment status, start date, etc.). After I replied, I had an online interview.
The interview itself was professional and friendly. We talked about my background in mechanical/electrical design, EV/high-voltage topics, CAD skills, and some basic questions on mechanics, materials, and DFM/DFA. They also asked about how I approach problems, how I work in teams, and why I wanted to join the High Voltage Distribution team.
Technically, I felt the fit was good and the conversation went well. However, in the end I was rejected because my German language skills were not strong enough for what they needed in that team. This was communicated politely, but it’s important to mention: even for an internship, German fluency can be a deciding factor, depending on the team and role.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
“What CAD tools have you used, and what kind of models/drawings have you created with them?”
“Imagine you need to route a high-voltage wiring harness through a tight area. What would you consider to avoid issues like chafing, bending, thermal or vibration problems?”
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Tesla (Fremont, CA) in Jun 2025
Interview
The interview consisted of a 30-minute video conference with the hiring manager, and it was a positive experience. I was presented with practical problems related to current issues at Tesla to solve. Although I answered all questions accurately, one question remained unresolved. I have found that real-world problem-solving comes naturally to me in interviews, particularly when supported by a strong foundation of knowledge.
My suggestion to other job seekers is that HR expects candidates to approach every problem from a fundamental perspective. Therefore, it is advisable to reinforce your foundational knowledge relevant to the position for which you are interviewing.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The interview question concerned sealing issues with the charger pins, as moisture can become trapped, leading to signal problems.
I would say it is not very hard, fairly simple. I just had my first interview, the manger was very nice. I was mainly talked about my personal experience, and project.