Embedded Software Engineer, Thermal Systems, Vehicle Software

Tesla

Palo Alto, California Posted October 31, 2026

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On-site Full-time Mid level
Job Description

Description:
As an Embedded Software Engineer on the Thermal Systems Software team, you will play a key role in accelerating the delivery and refinement of Tesla-designed thermal systems for all Tesla Vehicles. Your responsibilities will include architecting, designing, and implementing embedded firmware for various motors, actuators, and sensors in the thermal system. Additionally, you will contribute to the development of user-facing features to enhance the accuracy and intuitiveness of the vehicle cabin heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system.

Tesla Thermal Systems manages the temperature of critical powertrain systems like the battery, drive units and charger, as well as temperature control of the vehicle cabin interior. The thermal management system is one of the biggest consumers of energy in an electric vehicle, making your contributions crucial in improving the efficiency of our vehicles and changing the way the world perceives electric vehicles. You will be responsible for delivering high-quality embedded code that runs on Tesla controllers and production lines.

Responsibilities:
Develop, enhance and debug new and existing behaviors for the coolant, refrigerant, and cabin HVAC systems

Drive firmware development in C in a real-time embedded environment for performance, scalability, robustness, and tight integration with the hardware

Hands-on with hardware bring up, build and enforce component validation for delivering robust, functional code

Collaborate across disciplines with electrical, mechanical, and controls engineering teams to produce integrated software-hardware solutions

Work with various cross-functional teams to develop requirements for new thermal system features, diagnostics, algorithms, etc.

Clearly communicate complex technical concepts to management, highlighting key issues and risks

Implement continuous improvements and best practices within the team, and larger organization

Requirements:
4+ years of relevant experience in real-time embedded software development

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering , Computer Engineering, or similar areas of study, or equivalent experience

Proficiency in C and real time embedded environments

Proficiency in Python

Familiarity with real-time embedded concepts such as shared resources, hardware interrupts, and RTOS

Strong software fundamentals including firmware architecture, algorithm development, data structures, code modularity, and maintainability

Fluent in working with microcontroller peripherals such as timers, ADC, GPIO, PWM, SPI, UART, LIN, I2C

Hands on experience with various motor types (brushed, brushless, steppers) and sensor types (analog, digital encoders)

Experience with reading electrical schematics and understanding circuit behavior

Familiarity with control loops and PID controllers

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
$120,000 - $396,000/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.

Required Skills
software development controllership HVAC collaboration cross-functional collaboration electrical engineering Python technical drawings
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