Chemical Operator Intern, Lithium Refinery
Tesla Motors, Inc., Robstown, TX, United States
What to Expect
Tesla's in-house Lithium Refinery, located in the greater Corpus Christi area of Texas, is critical to our mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. This investment aims to increase the supply of battery‑grade lithium hydroxide in North America. We are seeking multiple Chemical Operator Interns to join our team and help further our mission. This position involves quality control sampling, equipment monitoring, troubleshooting, and loading/unloading finished goods and raw materials. Chemical Operators work on a rotating shift team, focusing on field and control room chemical unit operations to safely run process systems and associated equipment during their shift. Students selected for the program will temporarily pause their academic coursework to participate in a full‑time, up to 16‑week internship during the Fall 2026 semester. This internship provides students with hands‑on experience in Tesla's high‑tech, fast‑paced industrial environment. This will be a rotating Du Pont schedule with day and night assignments.
What You’ll Do
Understand Life Critical Policies and Hazard Recognition principles and effectively communicate to team members and work groups via safety meetings, job interactions, and work permit issuance
Communicate with team members regarding safety, equipment status, production, quality, and operational issues using detailed written and electronic notes
Operate equipment in accordance with all safety, quality, and efficiency standards by following written and verbal work instructions
Follow procedures to safely operate, clear, startup, shut down, and Lock Out equipment related to chemical manufacturing safely and efficiently
Provide initial response to unplanned events to minimize the impact on personnel, the environment, and equipment
Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
What You’ll Bring
Ability to demonstrate experience or knowledge as a safe and proficient Chemical Operator in a 24/7 continuous refinery environment
Must be a student of Del Mar College in the Process Technology Program and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.9 and have completed between 30 and 60 semester credit hours
Transcripts will be requested
Must have command of the English language, both written and verbal
Essential Physical Demands
Ability to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time, up to 12 hours a day
Ability to stand and walk for up to 12 hours a day, including over varied and uneven terrain
Climb stairs, stand for extended periods of time, and safely lift up to 50 pounds
Frequently and repetitively, bend, lift and reach
Stoop, lay, bend, reach, squat, kneel, crouch, twist and crawl for extended periods of time, including up to 12 hours a day
Climb and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolding or other high structures
Ability to find issues in a work process and receive safety signals using sight, touch, or hearing
Wearing Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to: PAPR, safety glasses, safety shoes, bump caps, and adhering to prescribed safety rules and guidelines
Compensation and 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
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Tesla's in-house Lithium Refinery, located in the greater Corpus Christi area of Texas, is critical to our mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. This investment aims to increase the supply of battery‑grade lithium hydroxide in North America. We are seeking multiple Chemical Operator Interns to join our team and help further our mission. This position involves quality control sampling, equipment monitoring, troubleshooting, and loading/unloading finished goods and raw materials. Chemical Operators work on a rotating shift team, focusing on field and control room chemical unit operations to safely run process systems and associated equipment during their shift. Students selected for the program will temporarily pause their academic coursework to participate in a full‑time, up to 16‑week internship during the Fall 2026 semester. This internship provides students with hands‑on experience in Tesla's high‑tech, fast‑paced industrial environment. This will be a rotating Du Pont schedule with day and night assignments.
What You’ll Do
Understand Life Critical Policies and Hazard Recognition principles and effectively communicate to team members and work groups via safety meetings, job interactions, and work permit issuance
Communicate with team members regarding safety, equipment status, production, quality, and operational issues using detailed written and electronic notes
Operate equipment in accordance with all safety, quality, and efficiency standards by following written and verbal work instructions
Follow procedures to safely operate, clear, startup, shut down, and Lock Out equipment related to chemical manufacturing safely and efficiently
Provide initial response to unplanned events to minimize the impact on personnel, the environment, and equipment
Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
What You’ll Bring
Ability to demonstrate experience or knowledge as a safe and proficient Chemical Operator in a 24/7 continuous refinery environment
Must be a student of Del Mar College in the Process Technology Program and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.9 and have completed between 30 and 60 semester credit hours
Transcripts will be requested
Must have command of the English language, both written and verbal
Essential Physical Demands
Ability to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time, up to 12 hours a day
Ability to stand and walk for up to 12 hours a day, including over varied and uneven terrain
Climb stairs, stand for extended periods of time, and safely lift up to 50 pounds
Frequently and repetitively, bend, lift and reach
Stoop, lay, bend, reach, squat, kneel, crouch, twist and crawl for extended periods of time, including up to 12 hours a day
Climb and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolding or other high structures
Ability to find issues in a work process and receive safety signals using sight, touch, or hearing
Wearing Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to: PAPR, safety glasses, safety shoes, bump caps, and adhering to prescribed safety rules and guidelines
Compensation and 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
#J-18808-Ljbffr