Manufacturing Technology Development Engineer, Optimus Hand

About the role

Manufacturing Technology Development Engineer, Optimus Hand | Tesla (Tesla SI)

Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 273400 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Tesla is building Optimus, a general-purpose humanoid robot designed to perform unsafe, repetitive, and boring tasks—ultimately creating abundance through SI and robotics at a massive scale. The hand is one of the most critical and complex subsystems: a high-dexterity, tendon-driven mechanism with advanced tactile sensing.

We are looking for a hands-on Manufacturing Process Development Engineer to drive R&D and early production process development for novel manufacturing techniques specific to the Optimus hand. This includes precision tendon (cable) routing and termination systems, advanced tactile sensor fabrication, and the integration of gloves, textiles, and soft goods for durability, protection, and human-like interaction.

This is a first-principles, high-ownership role. You will develop processes that do not yet exist at scale, own them from concept through prototype and into production ramp, and directly enable the cost, quality, and throughput targets required for Optimus to ship in volume.

What You'll Do

• Develop and optimize novel manufacturing processes for the tendon-driven architecture of the Optimus hand, including synthetic rope construction and termination/anchoring methods
• Lead process development for advanced tactile sensing hardware, with a focus on thermoforming, dispensing, and lamination processes
• Create and scale processes for glove, textile, and soft covering integration—including cutting, bonding, lamination, sewing, encapsulation, and assembly of soft elements onto the hand structure for sensor protection, durability, and enhanced manipulation
• Design, build, and iterate custom tooling, fixtures, molds, and process equipment to support rapid R&D builds and transition to repeatable, production-intent processes
• Execute Design of Experiments (DOE), process characterization, and capability studies. Establish robust process windows and controls for new materials and high-precision assemblies
• Partner closely with mechanical design, actuator, sensor, and controls teams to provide DFM input early, driving designs that achieve high dexterity while enabling extreme cost reduction and high-volume manufacturability
• Own process documentation (work instructions, SOPs, control plans, travelers) and support prototype builds, yield improvement, and issue resolution through pilot production
• Collaborate with supply chain and internal teams on in-house vs. supplier process strategies for specialty materials
• Conduct raw material selection and vendor qualification, establishing strict quality standards to meet cost and performance objectives
• Drive first-principles cost, cycle time, and reliability improvements to make the Optimus hand production-ready at scale

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (advanced degree or relevant certifications are a plus), or equivalent industry experience and evidence of exceptional ability
• 5+ years of hands-on manufacturing process development experience, with a track record taking complex precision or flexible assemblies from prototype through production ramp and yield improvement
• Direct experience developing processes in at least two of these areas (strong preference for all three): Tendon, cable, or flexible routing/termination systems (especially in high-cycle or high-precision mechanisms); Polymer thermoforming, vacuum/pressure forming, or thin-film forming processes with integrated electronics or sensors (TPU or similar thermoplastics experience highly relevant); Textile, soft goods, glove, or wearable assembly processes (bonding, lamination, sewing, or hybrid rigid-flex integration)
• Strong capability in tooling/fixture design, CAD (SolidWorks or equivalent), GD&T, and experimental methods (DOE, data analysis, metrology, root cause)
• Experience creating production-grade process documentation and validation approaches
• Proven ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with extreme ownership and a bias for action

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$108,000 - $360,000/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.