AI Autonomous Driving Verification & Validation Intern - Summer 2027 - Santa Clara, CA

Nissan Motor Iberica SA; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Nissan is seeking an AI Autonomous Driving Verification & Validation Intern in Santa Clara, CA. You will work with a team to verify and validate AI-powered autonomous driving systems, designing tests and developing simulation-based evaluation frameworks.

This role emphasizes collaboration, ML, Python, and data-driven analysis to advance automated driving research. The internship targets Master’s or PhD candidates in CS/Robotics/AI-ML/EE, with a GPA of 3.0+, and onsite work at Santa Clara.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a Master's or PhD program in a related field.
• Strong foundation in ML/AI and data-driven systems.
• Experience designing experiments, analyzing data, and communicating findings.
• Proficiency in Python and ML frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Familiarity with simulation environments and autonomous systems.
• GPA 3.0 or above; onsite work in Santa Clara, CA.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute simulation-based tests for AI-powered autonomous driving systems.
• Develop data-driven tools and metrics to evaluate system performance and reliability.
• Apply ML techniques to automate testing, validation, and monitoring processes.
• Analyze large-scale driving datasets to identify performance improvements.
• Collaborate with engineers and researchers to build safe, scalable autonomous solutions.

Skills

Python

Machine Learning

Data Analysis

Experiment Design

Team Collaboration

Education

Master's or PhD in CS/Robotics/AI-ML/EE

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Job description

Location: Santa Clara, CA Job Schedule: Full-time, 12-week program Degree Level: Master's or PhD Preferred Degree: Computer Science, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, or a related field Sponsorship: Not Available

Shape the Future of Mobility at Nissan: Launch Your Career, Drive Innovation

We are currently looking for an AI Autonomous Driving Verification & Validation Intern to join our team in Santa Clara, CA. Join a team developing the next generation of AI-powered autonomous driving systems. We focus on verification and validation (V&V) of end-to-end autonomy, ensuring these systems are safe, reliable, and robust across real-world and simulated driving environments. As an intern, you will work alongside engineers and researchers to develop testing, simulation, and evaluation frameworks for autonomous vehicles. You will analyze driving behavior, investigate system performance, and apply AI and data-driven techniques to help advance the validation of cutting-edge autonomous driving technologies. This opportunity is ideal for students passionate about autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and large-scale system evaluation, offering hands-on experience solving real-world challenges that will help define the future of autonomous mobility.

A Day in the Life:

• Design and execute simulation-based tests for AI-powered autonomous driving systems.
• Develop data-driven tools, performance metrics, and analysis workflows to evaluate autonomous system behavior and reliability.
• Apply machine learning and AI techniques to automate testing, validation, and performance monitoring processes.
• Analyze large-scale driving datasets to investigate system performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with engineers and researchers to support the development of safe, robust, and scalable autonomous driving solutions.

Who We're Looking For:

• Required: Must be currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD degree program in Computer Science, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong foundation in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data-driven systems development.
• Experience designing experiments, conducting research, analyzing data, and communicating technical findings.
• Proficiency in Python and modern machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar technologies.
• Familiarity with simulation environments, autonomous systems, robotics, or advanced driver assistance technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex system performance.
• Interest in autonomous systems, simulation-based testing, safety validation, and end-to-end AI driving solutions.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research and development environment.
• GPA of 3.0 or above (Candidates will be required to provide an official or unofficial transcript during the application process for verification.)
• Ability to perform work onsite at Santa Clara, CA.

What You'll Look Forward to at Nissan:

• Connection and Collaboration: We offer Business Synergy Teams (ERGs) and opportunities for our employees to strengthen their relationships and meet people from similar and diverse backgrounds to foster a culture of belonging.
• Professional Training and Development: Expand your knowledge and skills through Nissan's rich innovation offerings, seminars, learning platforms and leadership trainings.
• Nissan is committed to a drug-free workplace. All employment is contingent upon the successful completion of drug and background screenings in accordance with Nissan policies and in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act and the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.
• Nissan will consider qualified candidates with arrest or conviction records for employment in a manner consistent with these laws.

It is Nissan’s policy to provide Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, gender, military status, disability, or any other status protected by law.

Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire; Nissan uses E-Verify to validate employment eligibility.

NISSAN FOR EVERYONE

People are our most valuable assets, and Nissan seeks to maximize the power of each individual member of our team. When everyone belongs, the power of NISSAN is undeniable. Nissan aims to improve business results through a workplace and business that meets the needs of our employees and customer base. Nissan is committed to creating a culture where everyone belongs and employees, customers, and partners feel respected, valued, and heard. We have Business Synergy Teams (BSTs) across the Americas that are open to all employees and seek to connect employees through common interests and foster a company culture where all employees feel supported and included. Nissan also values inclusion in our business as we respect and recognize the diversity of our customer base and the communities where we do business. We are committed to procuring innovative goods and services, retailing our products, and communicating from a position that will help us continue to offer our customers competitively designed, market-driven products. Join us as we carry our commitment to our employees and customers into the future.

Santa Clara California United States of America Nissan is more than a car company. We are an innovation company. We take the most innovative thinking in the industry and combine it with performance, value, efficiency, safety and style. The result: Cars that thrill you every time you get behind the wheel. With over 150 million vehicles produced globally, Nissan continues with the goal to enrich the lives of our employees and customers alike.