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Embedded Software Engineer, Reliability & Test

Tesla • Palo Alto, California, United States

onsitefull-time

Salary: USD 100,000 - 360,000 / year

Posted Nov 5, 2026Apply by Nov 18, 2026

**Role & seniority: ** Embedded Firmware Engineer, Reliability & Test team; ~mid-level (2+ years embedded/system software experience).

**Stack/tools: **

  • Languages: C (embedded, RTOS)

  • Standards: MISRA C (preferred)

  • Testing/QA: Test-driven development, automated testing familiarity

  • Embedded/firmware: Vehicle firmware modifications across subsystems

  • Hardware debugging: PCBA schematics, standard lab electronics instrumentation

  • Top 3 responsibilities:

    1. Implement firmware change requests via custom test branches/releases with firmware teams & release management.

    2. Modify vehicle firmware (e.g., Body Control, BMS, Charging, Drive Systems) to adjust protective limits, remove/avoid endpoint dependencies in test apps, and add on-demand adjustments.

    3. Independently interpret change requests, locate/modify required C code, and deliver functional real-time embedded changes quickly.

  • Must-have skills:

    • Embedded development in robotics/real-time controls/system software (2+ years)

    • Strong software fundamentals (design/maintainability)

    • C programming for RTOS-based embedded systems

    • Ability to read/interprete PCBA schematics for firmware troubleshooting

    • Collaboration/communication; comfort with lab electronics and instrumentation

  • Nice-to-haves:

    • MISRA C familiarity

    • Test-driven development and automated testing experience (developer-driven)

    • Understanding of physics/first principles

  • **Location & w

Full Description

What To Expect As a member of the Reliability and Test team, you will support engineering effort to identify and characterize potential hardware failure modes at component level and vehicle level. Your role will implement vehicle firmware change requests across various vehicle subsystems, including Body Control, BMS, Charging, Drive Systems, for the purpose of component, system, and vehicle testing.

What You'll Do

Guided by firmware change requests from reliability and test engineering, work collaboratively with respective firmware development teams, and release management as needed to implement and release custom test branches Modify existing vehicle firmware to widen protective limits preventing abuse testing, eliminate dependencies on endpoints that may not be present in test applications, and implement on-demand adjustments as necessary Interpret any firmware change requests and independently identify, locate, and modify the necessary C code Deliver functional C code in a real-time embedded environment with expediency

What You'll Bring

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience 2+ years of experience in embedded development in robotics, real-time controls, or system software Fluent in software fundamentals including software design and maintainability Capable of reading and interpreting PCBA schematics for developing and troubleshooting firmware Proficiency in C programming in embedded, RTOS system. Familiarity with MISRA C a plus Test driven development and familiarity with developer driven automated testing Comfortable using standard lab electronics equipment and instrumentation Ability to collaborate and communicate complex technical concepts Understanding of physics and first principles is highly preferred

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

Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)

Expected Compensation

$100,000 - $360,000/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

Automated TestingC ProgrammingElectronics InstrumentationEmbedded Software DevelopmentFirmware DevelopmentFirmware TestingMISRA CPCBA Schematic InterpretationPhysics and First PrinciplesReal-Time Embedded SystemsRTOSSoftware DesignSoftware MaintainabilityTechnical CommunicationTest-Driven DevelopmentTroubleshooting

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