Machine Learning Research Intern, Prediction and Planning - Silicon Valley, CA - Summer 2026

Location: Santa Clara, California - United States of America

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

With a focus on Mobility, Operational Excellence, Value to our Customers and the Electrification of vehicles, you can expect to be part of something exciting at Nissan. We exemplify ingenuity in everything we do, from the sleek design of our vehicles to the unique opportunities we offer around the globe. Our people are what drive the business forward and we are looking for researchers who want to challenge themselves, test their skills, develop their talents, and discover their full potential.

We’re currently looking for a Research Intern in Prediction and Planning to join our team in May 2026.  On our team, we focus on scene understanding, road user prediction, trajectory planning, and vehicle control.  Our prediction and planning system is required to produce human-like behavior in challenging real-world scenes including decisive high-speed highway driving to nuanced low-speed city scenes with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles.  As a member of the Autonomous Systems team, you will get to research and develop prediction and planning algorithms that scale from simple scenes to complex intersection thereby ensuring predictable, safe, and human-like autonomous vehicle behavior.

Think you’ve got the internal drive to support the production of great vehicles and join a winning team?  Apply for this position and start the process to kick your career into high gear.

During the course of your internship, you will have the chance to:

• Develop state-of-the-art prediction and planning algorithms
• Be responsible for testing your algorithms in simulation and real-world vehicles
• Engage with other Autonomous Systems researchers

In order to qualify for this role, you must:

• Currently be pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• Strong C++ or python coding ability
• Strong organization ability with keen attention to detail
• Be self-motivated and willing to challenge yourself to develop your talents and skillsets
• Strong communication skills both written and oral

Welcome to an open lane of possibility. We know you have the capability to change the world, and we want you to help us change the future of automotive. Drive your career forward and join the company leading the technology and business evolution of the automotive industry by applying today.

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 diversity and inclusion are the key to maximizing the power of each individual member of our team.  When everyone belongs, the power of NISSAN is undeniable.  Our Corporate Diversity Initiative aims to improve business results by ensuring that our workplace and core businesses meet the unique 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 over 10 Business Synergy Teams (BSTs) across the U.S. and Canada that connect employees – with shared characteristics or interests – build allies, and foster a company culture where all employees feel supported and included.

Nissan also values inclusion in all areas of our business as we strive to mirror 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 diverse perspective which will help us continue to offer our customers competitively designed, market-driven products.

Join us as we carry our commitment to diversity and inclusion into the future.