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Embedded Software Engineer, Thermal Systems, Vehicle Software

Tesla Motors, Inc.
Palo Alto, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 5/2/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/2/2026
What to Expect

As an Embedded Software Engineer on the Thermal Systems Software team, you will play a key role in accelerating the delivery and refinement of Tesla-designed thermal systems for all Tesla Vehicles. Your responsibilities will include architecting, designing, and implementing embedded firmware for various motors, actuators, and sensors in the thermal system. Additionally, you will contribute to the development of user-facing features to enhance the accuracy and intuitiveness of the vehicle cabin heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

Tesla Thermal Systemsmanagesthe temperature of critical powertrain systems like the battery, driveunitsand charger, as well as temperature control of the vehicle cabin interior. The thermal management system is one of the biggest consumers of energy in an electric vehicle, making your contributions crucial in improving the efficiency of our vehicles and changing the way the world perceives electric vehicles. You willbe responsible fordelivering high-quality embedded code that runs on Tesla controllers and production lines.


What You'll Do
  • Develop, enhance and debug new and existing behaviors for the coolant, refrigerant, and cabin HVAC systems

  • Drive firmware development in C in a real-time embedded environment for performance, scalability, robustness, and tight integration with the hardware

  • Hands-on with hardware bring up, build and enforcecomponentvalidation for delivering robust, functional code

  • Collaborate across disciplines with electrical, mechanical, and controls engineering teams to produce integrated software-hardware solutions

  • Work with various cross-functional teams to develop requirements for new thermal system features, diagnostics, algorithms,etc.

  • Clearly communicate complex technical concepts to management, highlighting key issues and risks

  • Implement continuous improvements and best practices within the team, and larger organization


What You'll Bring
  • 4 years of relevant experience in real-time embedded software development

  • Bachelor's Degree in ElectricalEngineering ,Computer Engineering,or similar areas of study, or equivalent experience

  • Proficiencyin C and real time embedded environments

  • Proficiencyin Python

  • Familiarity with real-time embedded concepts such as shared resources, hardware interrupts, and RTOS

  • Strong software fundamentals including firmware architecture, algorithm development, data structures, code modularity, and maintainability

  • Fluent in working with microcontroller peripherals such as timers, ADC, GPIO, PWM, SPI, UART, LIN, I2C

  • Hands on experience with various motor types (brushed, brushless, steppers) and sensor types (analog, digital encoders)

  • Experience with reading electrical schematics and understanding circuit behavior

  • Familiarity with control loops and PID controllers


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
    $120,000 - $396,000/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.

     

    Salary : $120,000 - $396,000

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