Embedded Platform Software Engineer, Optimus

About the role

• Embedded Platform Software Engineer, Optimus | Tesla (Tesla SI)
• Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 286231 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

Tesla is on a path to building humanoid robots at scale to automate repetitive and boring tasks.

As a Firmware Platforms engineer on Optimus, you will build the foundation that every other firmware team on the robot depends on. You will develop scalable, reusable drivers for a wide range of peripherals and bring up new communication protocols across microcontrollers and multi-core processors.You will own core platform components, including drivers, communication stacks, RTOS integration, and build infrastructure.

You will be responsible for designing and maintaining a reliable and easy-to-use software platform for others to build on. Your work will have system-wide impact: a single design decision can affect every joint, sensor, and performance of the robot.

The robotics firmware team is small, passionate, and fast-moving. Come join a team of deeply knowledgeable engineers that strive to build the most robust and reliable embedded systems using innovative software development tools and practices.

What You'll Do

• Develop scalable, reliable real-time embedded software platforms for Optimus
• Bring up new microcontrollers, sensors, communication networks, and boards for robotic applications
• Develop automated tests to ensure high-quality software releases and accurate functionality
• Work closely with the hardware teams to rapidly prototype innovative technologies
• Participate in the full firmware development lifecycle—from concept through integration, testing, and release—as our robot fleet scales

What You'll Bring

• 2+ years of relevant experience in real-time embedded software development
• Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent in experience and evidence of exceptional ability
• Proficiency in C; familiarity with Python and modern C++ is a plus
• Experience reading electrical schematics and debugging with oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers
• Experience in bringing up microcontroller peripherals (ADC, PWM, SPI, I2C, etc.) and communication protocols such as Ethernet and CAN from scratch
• Proven ability to profile and optimize firmware for performance, memory, and power
• Skilled at diagnosing distributed embedded system issues using logs, trace data, and plotting/visualization tools
• Familiarity with real-time operating systems (RTOS) and multicore application design
• Experience with MISRA C or other safety-critical coding standards

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly 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
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)

Expected Compensation$140,000 - $390,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefitsPay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.