Software Engineer, C++ Generalist, AI Systems & Infrastructure

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Software Engineer, C++ Generalist, AI Systems & Infrastructure

| Job Category | Tesla AI | | Location | Palo Alto, California | | Req. ID | 257249 | | Job Type | Full-time |

What to Expect

Tesla uniquely builds foundational AI that moves beyond pixels and through the physical world — delivering this at scale requires general-purpose robots (Robotaxis & Optimus) capable of navigating complex environments with high precision. Every millisecond counts, as rapid perception & decision-making enables swift responses to dynamic conditions. This is where our Foundations team comes in — we combine low-level software techniques with modern C++ code to optimize the latency, throughput, and memory of our onboard camera & vision stack. Our work directly enhances both the safety & efficacy of Full-Self-Driving (FSD) as well as humanoid dexterity; this is key to expanding the Robotaxi fleet globally and advancing Optimus' ability to perform intricate real-time tasks with near-human accuracy.

What You’ll Do

• Write, debug and maintain robust C/C++ code underpinning the entire FSD & Optimus software suite; depending on needs and your interests/skills, you might work on code related to our high frame rate camera & vision stack, design low memory footprint image compression libraries, implement high performance inter-process communication data buffers, improve/extend our image & raw data logging/telemetry code, or make our evaluation/replay software more stable and performant
• Optimize hardware resources usage, leverage custom hardware components where appropriate
• Advocate for best coding practices amongst the group, build tools helping engineers to write better code (for instance, performance/memory tracking)
• Generalize software frameworks when necessary while keeping in mind that too much abstraction can sometimes become a bottleneck

What You’ll Bring

• Experience programming C/C++ software, including modern C/C++ (C++14/17/20)
• Experience or familiarity with Computer Vision, Machine Learning & related software concepts a plus
• Experience with performant software design, object-oriented C++, compiler design and/or hardcore lower-level C code
• Proficient developing software on a Linux host, for embedded Linux targets (cross-compilation, etc.) a plus
• Experience with at least one of the following preferred: imaging software, Cuda/OpenCL, SIMD, multithreading, Linux system software (posix etc.), & computer vision
• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Physics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or proof of exceptional skills in related fields with practical software engineering experience, or equivalent experience

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 - $300,000/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 employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

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