Mechanical Engineer Intern

About Tempo

Based in San Diego, California, Tempo develops thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems designed for energy-intensive industries. The platform enables industrial operators to shift energy use over time by sourcing power when it is most cost-effective and enables the electrification of high-temperature industrial heat at a cost advantage to using fossil fuels. By storing electricity thermochemically, the system delivers a continuous stream of combustion-free, high-temperature air at up to 1,200°C.

Tempo is backed by leading climate and energy investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Prelude Ventures.

For more information, visit

Tempo is looking for extraordinary students to join us as a mechanical engineering intern in Spring 2027. As an intern, you will work closely with your mentor and other employees within Tempo’s Technology & Innovation (T&I) group, who will help you apply your knowledge and grow your skills on projects that have a significant impact. You’ll also get to have some fun and network with other interns and employees through optional social and professional events.

What you’ll do:

• Work within Tempo’s technology & innovation (T&I) test engineering group
• Play a key role in the design, build, and operation of Tempo’s newest cell test stand (CTS)
• Own designs from clean sheet concepts through manufacturing & integration
• Perform CAD modeling & own the drawing release process for all your designs
• Conduct structural and thermal analysis of your components and subsystems
• Author wiring diagrams, P&IDs, BOMs, test plans, and other technical documentation
• Perform hands-on fabrication and assembly using hand tools and other typical lab/shop equipment (hand tools, mill/lathe, welding, 3D printers, etc.)

Required Qualifications:

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in an engineering discipline by the start of employment
• Ability to work on-site, full time for a minimum of 10 weeks between January and May
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable)

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• GPA of 3.0 or above
• On a mechanical, aerospace, structural, or engineering degree track
• 6+ months experience of application of technical skills outside of the classroom (examples: extracurricular project teams, personal projects or prior internship/work experience)
• Prior internship experience
• Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and managers
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic professional setting with changing needs and requirements

Compensation Range

The US base salary range for this full-time position is $30.00 an hour. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, location, and relevant education or training. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include equity or benefits.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Tempo reserves the right to modify, add, or remove responsibilities as business needs evolve. Employees may be asked to perform duties outside of those listed above from time to time.

Tempo is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Tempo participates in E-Verify. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check including employment and education check.

Tempo does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles from external recruiters, staffing agencies, or third-party search firms. Submission of unsolicited resumes by any external agency — whether to a Tempo employee, hiring manager, or any other representative — does not constitute or imply an agreement for placement fees, and Tempo will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited submissions under any circumstances. Any candidate submitted without a prior, fully executed, written fee agreement between the agency and Tempo's Human Resources department will be deemed the sole property of Tempo. Tempo reserves the right to pursue and hire such candidates without obligation to the submitting agency.

Physical Demands

• Sitting and standing: Extended periods at a desk performing computer-based design, simulation, and documentation work.
• Lifting and carrying : Lift and carry equipment up to 50 lbs.; heavier items handled with mechanical assistance or team lift
• Travel: Occasional travel (estimated <5%)

Working at Tempo

Tempo is a lean organization working on exciting challenges, and the people who thrive here share a few things in common beyond their technical skills.

• Clear, direct communication: You professionally say what you mean, lead with empathy, use tact, ask when you're unsure, and keep the people around you informed without being asked. At a company our size, communication gaps are expensive, and good communicators add to success and efficiency!
• Low-ego helpfulness: You're willing to jump in on work that isn't strictly yours, whether that's helping a teammate debug something, lending a hand in the shop, or flagging an issue you noticed outside your lane. No one here succeeds in a silo.
• Intellectual curiosity: You're genuinely interested in how things work, not just your piece of it, but the broader system. Tempo sits at the intersection of chemistry, mechanical engineering, power electronics, and software; the more you understand about the whole, the more valuable you become.
• Business awareness: You understand that your work exists in a business context. You think about cost, timeline, and tradeoffs—not just technical elegance—and you make decisions accordingly.
• Comfort with ambiguity: Processes here are still being built. You can make progress without a perfect playbook, and you know when to ask for direction versus when to use your judgment and move forward.
• Accountability: You own your outcomes, including the misses. When something goes sideways, the instinct here is to fix it and learn from it, not to explain why it wasn't your fault.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Tempo reserves the right to modify, add, or remove responsibilities as business needs evolve. Employees may be asked to perform duties outside of those listed above from time to time.

Tempo is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Tempo participates in E-Verify. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check including employment and education check.

California Privacy Notice (CCPA) - In connection with your application, Tempo collects personal information that you voluntarily provide, such as your name, contact information, employment history, and other information relevant to your candidacy. This information is collected and used solely for the purpose of evaluating your application and administering the hiring process. Tempo does not sell applicants' personal information. For more information about your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please contact HR.

Tempo does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles from external recruiters, staffing agencies, or third-party search firms. Submission of unsolicited resumes by any external agency — whether to a Tempo employee, hiring manager, or any other representative — does not constitute or imply an agreement for placement fees, and Tempo will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited submissions under any circumstances. Any candidate submitted without a prior, fully executed, written fee agreement between the agency and Tempo's Human Resources department will be deemed the sole property of Tempo. Tempo reserves the right to pursue and hire such candidates without obligation to the submitting agency.