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 Compensation and Benefits 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 $140,000 - $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. Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.