Demo

Staff Optical Systems Engineer

Tesla Motors, Inc.
Palo Alto, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 12/12/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/12/2026
What to Expect
We are looking for an Optical Systems Engineer to join the Camera Hardware Engineering team. The candidate will manage a diverse set of responsibilities including the development of new imaging lenses, creating lens specifications, perform stray light and tolerance analyses and drive lens bring up from design through mass production for the next generation of camera systems. The camera hardware engineering team manages the full development lifecycle of camera systems for Tesla's vehicle and robotics platforms.

What You'll Do

  • Design and integrate new lens designs into CMOS imager-based camera modules
  • Fully analyze the impact of optical elements on camera image quality
  • Define and maintain lens specifications and standardize end-of-line OQC/IQC specifications
  • Drive suppliers to meet lens specifications and work with them from prototyping through manufacturing
  • Work cross functionally to communicate design decisions and conduct design reviews
  • Contribute to speeding up optical design and analysis workflows via automation tools


What You'll Bring

  • Strong knowledge of lens design and metrology
  • Proficiency in lens design using Zemax, CODE V etc.
  • Experience with straylight analysis using FRED, LightTools, SPEOS etc.
  • Experience with lens characterization and instrumentation
  • Working knowledge of opto-mechanics
  • Strong technical leadership skills, ability to drive vendors and a go-getter attitude where anything that does not violate physics is possible
  • Strong communication and presentation skills (written and verbal)
  • Experience with MATLAB/Python a plus


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:

  • Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna 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
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary 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
    $170,800 - $256,200/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 : $170,800 - $256,200

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