Staff Platform Firmware Engineer, AI Data Center

Description:
Tesla's AI Hardware team builds the custom silicon and datacenter infrastructure behind Full Self-Driving, Optimus, and some of the largest AI training clusters in the world. Every GPU, every custom accelerator, and every server in these clusters depends on PCIe as the critical high-speed interconnect linking compute, memory, networking, and storage. As we push toward PCIe Gen 5 and Gen 6 speeds, the firmware and driver stack must deliver maximum bandwidth, minimal latency, and rock-solid reliability at massive scale.

We are seeking a Senior or Staff Platform Software Engineer with deep PCIe expertise to own the firmware and Linux driver stack for our AI compute platforms. You will develop, optimize, and validate PCIe subsystems across custom SoCs, GPUs, and datacenter hardware -- ensuring our interconnect infrastructure keeps pace with the demands of next-generation AI workloads.

Responsibilities:
Develop and optimize PCIe Gen 5/Gen 6 firmware and Linux kernel drivers for Tesla's AI compute platforms
Implement PCIe enumeration, link training, and configuration for custom SoCs and accelerator cards
Bring up proto hardware and develop proof-of-concept firmware to validate new platform designs before production
Build and run platform-level validation -- PCIe performance, thermal, power, and stress testing across the full compute stack under AI training workloads
Debug PCIe link failures, signal integrity issues, and protocol errors using analyzers and silicon debug tools
Develop Linux device drivers for custom hardware -- DMA, interrupts, MMIO, and peer-to-peer transfers
Drive root cause analysis of PCIe failures across firmware, kernel, and hardware

Requirements:
Degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience
8+ years in firmware or low-level software development
Expertise in PCIe Gen4/5/6 architecture, platform validation and performance testing, and high-speed networking stacks that share PCIe infrastructure
Linux kernel driver development (device drivers, DMA, interrupts) and image build using Yocto or Buildroot
C programming; kernel debug tools (ftrace, perf, crash)
Hardware debug experience -- protocol analyzers, JTAG, oscilloscopes
System architecture fundamentals -- IOMMU, NUMA, memory hierarchies
Background in AI/ML infrastructure and familiarity with large-scale AI workload characteristics and their impact on interconnect performance
Familiarity with GPU/accelerator interconnects such as CXL, NVLink, Infinity Fabric, UALink, or similar chip-to-chip and multi-node interconnect technologies

Compensation & 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
$188,000 - $432,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefitsPay 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.