Demo

Staff Opto Mechanical Design Engineer

Tesla Motors, Inc.
Palo Alto, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 3/4/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/4/2026
What to Expect
We are looking for a Opto-Mechanical Engineer to join the Camera Hardware Engineering team. The candidate will be responsible for the design, analysis and integration of precision mechanical systems for application in imaging lens design. The candidate will ensure that their designs provide structural stability, optical alignment and durability to thermal and other environmental loads. The camera hardware engineering team manages the full development lifecycle of camera systems for Tesla's vehicle and robotics platforms.

What You'll Do
  • Create detailed mechanical designs for mounts, barrels, spacers and adhesives that secure and align imaging lenses, using CAD software (CATIA preferred) to meet system optical and mechanical specifications
  • Prepare detailed 2D drawings using GD&T, specification documents and assembly instructions for all opto-mechanical sub-assemblies
  • Perform structural, thermal and vibration analyses using FEA tools to validate the performance of mounts and barrels under operational stresses
  • Develop tolerance budgets and perform sensitivity analyses for optical systems
  • Athermalize lenses to ensure operation under a wide range of temperatures
  • Conduct detailed tolerance stack-up and Monte-Carlo analyses for lens mounts and spacers to ensure manufacturability
  • Drive detailed DFM reviews with vendors to meet all requirements
  • Oversee prototype fabrication, assembly, alignment and testing of opto-mechanical systems
  • Failure analysis for issues during development, validation and production phases

What You'll Bring
  • Strong background in Opto-mechanical design
  • Deep understanding of structural/thermal/optical (STOP) analysis
  • In-depth knowledge of material properties such as plastics, metal, adhesive, glass etc.
  • Working knowledge of lens design and stray light analysis for high-volume manufacturing
  • 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 in optical design such as Zemax, Code V etc.
  • Experience with data analysis tools like JMP, MATLAB/Python and Six Sigma is 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:

  • 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
    $156,000 - $234,000/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 : $156,000 - $234,000

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