Software Product Support & Diagnostic Engineer, Thermal Systems

About the role

Software Product Support & Diagnostic Engineer, Thermal Systems | Tesla (Vehicle Software)

Location: PALO ALTO, California | Req ID: 280827 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a Diagnostics Engineer to own thermal systems and HVAC diagnostics across our passenger vehicles and unsupervised Robotaxi fleet.

This role sits at the intersection of Silicon Valley development teams and the global service and fleet-operations network. You will diagnose complex, software-defined electromechanical thermal systems — heat pumps, refrigeration and coolant loops, compressors, pumps, valves, fans, sensors, and the firmware that heats, cools, and protects the vehicle — that must run reliably in high-volume consumer cars and fully unsupervised robotaxis.

You will be a technical escalation point for field and fleet issues and a builder of next-generation diagnostic software, AI-assisted tools, and fleet telemetry pipelines. A deep background in diagnosing safety-critical systems with heavy embedded software content is required. You must be passionate about Tesla’s products, a rigorous systems thinker, and comfortable at the boundary of hardware, firmware, diagnostics, and large-scale fleet operations.

What You'll Do

• Serve as subject-matter expert and technical escalation for thermal / HVAC issues across passenger vehicles, Semi trucks and Robotaxi / Cybercab fleets
• Develop diagnostic techniques, procedures, and AI-assisted tools that automate diagnosis for technicians, fleet operators, and remote support
• Build diagnostic software, automation scripts, and fleet telemetry / analysis pipelines (Python + modern data stacks) that scale across passenger vehicles and unsupervised robotaxis
• Define on-board diagnostic strategies, predictive alerts, and service-oriented behavior with firmware partners; implement where thermal intersects fleet uptime
• Drive product improvements in hardware, firmware, and system architecture that raise reliability, lower service cost, and protect robotaxi / fleet utilization
• Partner with hardware, firmware, quality, and diagnostics teams on root-cause analysis; occasional travel to service sites, factories, or robotaxi hubs and off-hours support for critical fleet events
• Improve how Service finds the right repair: smart diagnostic decision trees, in-vehicle service UI, vehicle self-test / commissioning routines, and technician-facing repair guidance
• Separate true hardware failure from firmware, sensor validity, commissioning, and alert-noise problems across multi-loop thermal architectures
• Provide real-time diagnostic support to service centers and fleet operations using vehicle logs, alerts, CAN/Ethernet signals, fleet telemetry, and remote debug — and drive the correct next action
• Author theory-of-operation and troubleshooting documentation so global service and fleet teams can diagnose efficiently in supervised and unsupervised environments

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical/Systems Engineering, Automotive Technology, Robotics, or equivalent practical experience with strong software depth
• Solid thermal / HVAC fundamentals (heat pumps and/or liquid cooling) — enough to challenge firmware and write correct diagnostic logic
• Experience providing real-time technical support or diagnostics on complex physical products (vehicles or industrial systems); exposure to autonomous, highly automated, or high-utilization fleets is highly valued
• System-level debug skill across controllers, vehicle networks (CAN/Ethernet), sensors/actuators, and the software that coordinates them — not only mechanical teardown
• Solid Python skills; ability to read and reason about C/C++ and embedded firmware a strong plus
• Experience with data acquisition, fleet telemetry, SQL/analytics pipelines, and modern diagnostic tooling at fleet scale
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and system architecture diagrams
• Experience building or improving diagnostics (guided fault trees, service tools, commissioning routines, or embedded diagnostic firmware) preferred
• Working knowledge of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet) and comfort debugging mixed electromechanical systems with heavy embedded software
• Clear written communication, ownership when the field or fleet is blocked, and comfort in a high-velocity environment spanning passenger vehicles and unsupervised robotaxi fleets

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$113,424 - $248,880/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.