Staff Manufacturing Test Engineer, Optimus

About the role

• Staff Manufacturing Test Engineer, Optimus | Tesla (Manufacturing)
• Location: Fremont, California | Req ID: 270203 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a highly skilled Staff Manufacturing Test Engineer to lead efforts in the Optimus Manufacturing Operations Team in Fremont. In this role, you will drive the development, optimization, and scaling of testing strategies for the production of revolutionary humanoid robots (Tesla Bot).

As a technical leader, you will guide a team of engineers while collaborating with multidisciplinary experts in mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and manufacturing engineering to innovate manufacturing processes. This position demands deep technical expertise, strategic vision, and the ability to lead in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

What You'll Do

• Lead the sustainment and continuous improvement of test equipment and software for Optimus robot manufacturing, working in both individual contributor and team leadership capacities to ensure robust, scalable infrastructure
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, process engineering, quality engineering, and production/maintenance to understand operational constraints and with Optimus design teams (including mechanical, electrical, and software) to define optimized test specifications that balance high yield with stringent quality standards
• Oversee and contribute to the electrical and mechanical design of advanced test equipment, including leading debug and validation efforts to ensure reliability before deployment to high-volume production lines
• Manage a team of Test Engineers & technicians, providing mentorship, performance guidance, and resource allocation to deliver on project timelines; foster a collaborative environment to drive innovation and problem-solving across the group
• Conduct strategic reviews of manufacturing test data, including root cause analysis, yield optimization, and implementation of corrective actions; lead Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical studies to refine test parameters
• Drive the full documentation of all projects, including test protocols, team processes, and lessons learned, while ensuring compliance with Tesla's quality and safety standards; mentor engineers in documentation best practices
• Champion cross-functional initiatives to scale testing deployments globally, identifying opportunities for process innovation and risk mitigation through tools like PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent relevant industry experience
• 8+ years of experience in high-volume electronics and robotics hardware manufacturing testing, with proven leadership in test strategy development at PCBA, component, and system levels
• Deep hands-on expertise in testing complex systems, including PCBA, IMU (Inertial Measurement Units), force-sensitive sensors, linear/rotary actuators, dynos, harnesses, cameras, mic/speaker systems, or high-performance computing hardware
• Strong proficiency in PFMEA, advanced statistical data analysis, Gage R&R (Repeatability and Reproducibility) studies, and tools for database integration and reporting
• Experience designing and integrating testing hardware such as programmable power supplies, CAN converters, linear/rotary stages, PLCs, and custom automation into production environments
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing engineering teams, with excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to read and understand software code (e.g., Python, Golang, C, C++, LabVIEW)

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$156,000 - $234,000/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.