SI Infrastructure Engineer, Model Optimization & Deployment, Optimus

About the role

SI Infrastructure Engineer, Model Optimization & Deployment, Optimus | Tesla (Tesla SI)

Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 247659 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Tesla AI is solving robust, real-world SI through humanoid robots. As a Software Engineer for the Optimus team, you will build the tools and infrastructure to make and measure improvements to neural network architecture, visualize data, assist with exporting and deploying neural networks to Tesla’s neural network chip with real-time latency constraints on Optimus, and evaluate experimental results.

You will help us automate the entire workflows of training, validation, and production of Optimus. Most importantly, you will see your work repeatedly shipped to and utilized by thousands of Humanoid Robots in real world applications.

What You'll Do

• Optimize ML models for latency, memory usage, and inference speed
• Quantize, prune, and convert models (e.g., to ONNX, TensorRT, TFLite) for deployment on various platforms (cloud, edge, mobile)
• Benchmark and profile model performance across different environments
• Package and deploy models as REST APIs, batch jobs, or streaming services using tools like FastAPI, Flask, or gRPC
• Implement CI/CD pipelines for automated testing and deployment of ML models
• Ensure scalability and reliability of ML services in production environments

What You'll Bring

• Strong proficiency in Python and PyTorch
• Experience with model optimization tools (e.g., ONNX, TensorRT, TFLite, TVM)
• Experience with model inference optimization and quantization
• Solid understanding of containerization and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and serverless deployments
• Strong grasp of software engineering principles and CI/CD pipelines
• Experience deploying models to edge devices or mobile platforms
• Knowledge of data serialization formats (e.g., protobuf, Avro)
• Exposure to observability tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana) for ML monitoring

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$176,000 - $420,000/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.