Robotics Thermal Validation Engineer, Thermal Engineering, Optimus

About the role

Robotics Thermal Validation Engineer, Thermal Engineering, Optimus | Tesla (Tesla SI)

Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 278624 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

We are looking for a hands-on validation engineer to explore, prototype, and de-risk next-generation thermal management solutions for a general-purpose humanoid robot. In this role, you will identify promising cooling technologies, build and test prototypes, and generate the data needed to determine whether those technologies are viable for future platform generations. You will work across subsystems — actuators, compute, battery, fans, and full-system thermal architecture — and your work will directly influence the thermal direction of next-generation hardware.

What You'll Do

• Identify and evaluate emerging thermal management technologies and suppliers relevant to humanoid robotics
• Develop experimental setups and custom test rigs to characterize prototype performance under realistic operating conditions
• Work with design engineers to understand their hardest thermal challenges and translate them into structured validation and de-risking programs
• Collaborate with external vendors to source and evaluate new thermal solutions
• Own the experimental process, from defining test plans and running controlled experiments to analyzing data
• Produce clear technical reports and presentations that translate experimental results into actionable design guidance for engineering teams
• Support design engineers by de-risking complex thermal problems through targeted, first-principles analysis and experimentation

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 4+ years of experience in thermal engineering with a strong emphasis on hardware development, prototyping, and validation
• Strong fundamentals in heat transfer — conduction, convection, radiation, and phase change — applied to real systems
• Demonstrated experience building and testing thermal prototypes in a lab environment, including custom test rig development and instrumented hardware characterization
• Strong experimental skills — ability to define test plans, run controlled experiments, and draw meaningful conclusions from data
• Comfortable working in ambiguous, early-stage problem spaces with limited prior art
• Clear cross-functional communication skills — able to translate experimental findings into recommendations that design teams can act on

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 - $312,000/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.