FPGA Engineer, Vehicle Software

Fpga

• Engineer, Vehicle Software | Tesla (Vehicle Software)
• Location: PALO ALTO, California | Req ID: 274599 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

Tesla's Vehicle Software team is building out its Processor in the Loop (PIL) test infrastructure — a rack-based cluster that validates ECU firmware by running it on real processors while emulating surrounding vehicle hardware in real time. PIL serves as a force multiplier: By abstracting away specific board designs, we test firmware for a variety of components on common hardware as long as they share a microprocessor.

PIL also enables firmware teams to get ahead of hardware development, providing an advanced dev-kit environment before physical boards are fabricated. This approach ensures the sim-to-reality gap remains marginal as our vehicles take on increasingly complex, software-driven responsibilities.

What You'll Do

• Design, implement, and verify RTL (Verilog/SystemVerilog) targeting Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ SOM platforms
• Develop FPGA-based peripheral emulation cores for automotive protocols including SPI, I2C, CAN, SENT, and LIN
• Build stimulus generation and output capture logic to exercise and observe real processors under test
• Integrate FPGA emulation boards into the PIL rack cluster, supporting a range of processor targets used across Vehicle Software
• Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware teams designing the physical boards being emulated and the emulation hardware, and with firmware teams writing the code under test
• Bring up, debug, and characterize FPGA designs on hardware using tools such as Vivado, ILA, and bench instrumentation

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Proficiency in RTL design (VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog)
• Experience with Xilinx FPGA toolchains (Vivado synthesis, implementation, and debug)
• Strong working knowledge of low-level communication protocols: SPI, I2C, CAN, SENT, LIN
• Comfort reading schematics and debugging at the hardware/firmware boundary
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with the team
• Experience developing real-time mathematical models of physical systems (e.g., motor dynamics, power stage behavior, thermal models) for hardware emulation or HIL applications a plus
• Familiarity with processor-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, or similar test methodologies a plus
• Familiarity with Python test frameworks and the ability to read and understand embedded C firmware code a plus

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 - $252,000/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.