Firmware Engineer, Silicon, Tesla AI

What To Expect
The Silicon Development team is seeking a Firmware Engineer to drive the development of our custom Autopilot Full Self Driving (FSD) SoC. You will join a team of deeply knowledgeable embedded engineers solving ambitious challenges at the intersection of hardware and software.

In this role, you will own the full firmware stack - from the very first instruction in ROM and early bootloaders to complex Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) applications. You will engage in tight hardware and software co-design, working intimately with hardware architects to ensure our custom SoCs are functional, performant, and reliable. This is an opportunity to write code that breathes life into new silicon before it even exists physically.

What You'll Do

Write high-performance, safety-critical C code for RTOS and real-time environments

Develop and debug firmware in pre-silicon environments (FPGA, emulation) to validate architecture and accelerate hardware bring-up

Lead low-level debug efforts for new SoCs and boards, utilizing logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and JTAG debuggers to root-cause complex issues

Implement and optimize communication stacks (CAN/CAN-FD, Ethernet) and signal processing logic

Maintain and optimize build systems (CMake, SCons) and develop Python-based automation for code generation and testing

Design robust firmware that supports high-volume manufacturing, ensuring systems scale reliably to hundreds of thousands of units

Contribute to the adoption of modern embedded languages (C++, Rust) and tooling to improve code safety and developer velocity

What You'll Bring

Experience in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or comparable fields

Experience in embedded development, such as robotics, real-time controls, system, or controls software

Strong proficiency in C (C99/C11) for embedded systems, with a deep understanding of memory management, pointers, and low-level optimization

Experience with RTOS concepts (FreeRTOS, ThreadX) including task scheduling, synchronization, and resource management

Experience with ARM architecture (Cortex-M/R/A) and understanding of microprocessor fundamentals (interrupts, registers, cache, MMU)

Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to cross-functional teams (hardware, validation, manufacturing)

Proficiency in C++ and Rust for embedded applications

Experience writing drivers for standard interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, PCIe, DDR)

Experience debugging embedded systems using tools such as scopes, logic analyzers and debuggers

Benefits
Compensation and 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

Expected Compensation

$132,000 - $390,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits

Pay 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.

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