Engineering Technician, Optimus (Afternoon Shift)

About the role

• Engineering Technician, Optimus (Afternoon Shift) | Tesla (Tesla SI)
• Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 269821 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

In this role, you will support Optimus humanoid robot diagnostics through hands-on troubleshooting, structured testing/validation and clear documentation. You will work closely with engineering and technical peers to isolate failures, capture data, and improve diagnostic clarity and repeatability across the program.

Successful candidates will have strong electrical diagnostic expertise, disciplined documentation habits, and a collaborative working style with excellent communication skills.

What You'll Do

• Perform advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting across Optimus robot subsystems using systematic workflows and best practices. Resolve challenging electrical and electromechanical failures
• Follow established diagnostic approaches; contribute updates to work instructions, troubleshooting guides, and the diagnostic documentation library
• Partner with engineering teams to understand design changes, participate in root cause analysis, and provide feedback on common failures and diagnostic gaps
• Track diagnostic data, document lessons learned, and contribute to reports on diagnostic effectiveness and recurring issues
• Maintain diagnostic tools and equipment inventory
• Adhere to lab safety protocols and help maintain a safe, organized work environment
• Communicate technical status, findings, and blockers clearly to the broader team

What You'll Bring

• 3+ years of hands-on diagnostic and repair experience in manufacturing, robotics, automotive, aerospace, or a similar industry. Strong electrical diagnostic expertise, including reading schematics, wiring diagrams, and PCB layouts
• Proficiency with diagnostic equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and signal generators
• Understanding of power systems, motor controls, sensor technologies, and communication protocols (CAN, Ethernet)
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to engineering and technician peers
• Strong technical writing and documentation abilities (experience with Jira, Confluence, or similar collaboration and documentation tools preferred)
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced lab environment and communicate status and blockers proactively. A positive, solution-oriented attitude, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and rapidly shift focus. A strong sense of ownership, responsibility, and accountability for diagnostic quality, data integrity, and documentation
• Experience with robotic systems, mechatronics, or complex electromechanical systems preferred. Experience with Python and Linux (for example, scripting, shell/command-line usage, or diagnostic automation) preferred

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$24.40 - $50.40/hour + 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.