Powertrain Controls Engineer, Vehicle Controls

About the role

Powertrain Controls Engineer, Vehicle Controls | Tesla (Vehicle Software)

Location: PALO ALTO, California | Req ID: 282106 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Autonomy is only as good as the control systems that carry it out.

As a Powertrain Controls Engineer, you will design, implement, and calibrate the software that turns customer and Full Self-Driving requests into torque at the wheels. That includes the features people notice — Plaid acceleration, One-Pedal Driving, Regen-Backfill, off-road modes, and FSD speed control — and the quieter work underneath: torque split between motors, regenerative braking, regen blending, backlash control, and driveline damping.

You will build models of the powertrain, design the control strategies, and work with Firmware and Integration to get them running and debugged on the vehicle. All this work is across our entire fleet of cars, Cybertruck, Semi, and the next platforms coming behind them. The work spans physics, modeling, firmware, and in-car tuning. You'll build the model, write the control, and refine it until the car is responsive, efficient, and consistent — so motion stays smooth and autonomy can follow its plan with precision.

What You'll Do

• Develop control-oriented models of the powertrain, and use them to develop, implement, and refine control strategies
• Work with Firmware and Integration engineers to implement, test, and debug these algorithms
• Calibrate powertrain performance attributes like pedal response, drive-ability, torque split, etc. to deliver the best customer experience in terms of responsiveness, range, NVH, etc.
• Improve our tools and processes used to calibrate algorithms for future powertrains
• Work with Mechanical, Electrical, and Firmware Engineers to define control system capability and establish actuation/sensing requirements for next generation powertrains
• Advance the state-of-the-art in Powertrain Control systems

What You'll Bring

• Excellent background in linear systems analysis, state-estimation, and first principles design and analysis of control systems
• Excellent proficiency with creating controls-oriented dynamic system models of electro-mechanical systems
• Understanding and intuition for the physics of basic electric propulsion, motion control systems, and batteries
• Demonstrated ability to ground-up design, analyze, and implement control systems in real-world applications
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally, work hands-on, and execute on open-ended projects in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment
• Basic proficiency with embedded firmware development in C/C++
• Experience with vehicle longitudinal performance characteristics, preferred
• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent in experience and evidence of exceptional ability

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 - $300,000/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.