Camera Software Engineer, Tesla AI

As an Autonomy Camera Software Engineer, you will work at the intersection of embedded systems, computer vision, and AI to drive the development of Tesla’s imaging pipeline. Your primary focus will be to optimize camera software and overall system performance to deliver world-class image quality, critical for both neural network perception and human-facing displays. In this highly collaborative role, you’ll partner closely with hardware, computer vision, UI/UX, and system software teams to ensure Tesla’s camera systems provide the most accurate and useful representation of the world. Your code will interface directly with image sensors, ISPs (Image Signal Processors), codecs, telemetry systems, and AI models, all executing on the Tesla AI compute platform. You’ll play a key role in developing and refining software that enhances image quality and system efficiency. This includes building tools to benchmark and characterize 3A (auto-exposure, auto-white balance, autofocus) and ISP configurations, and rigorously evaluating camera software frameworks to ensure performance, stability, and reliability. Your work will directly impact Tesla’s mission to build fully autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics platforms like Optimus, where delivering a precise visual understanding of the world is essential.

Responsibilities

Develop, debug, and maintain high performance C/C++ software for Tesla's Autopilot and Humanoid Robot platforms, including work on high framerate camera and vision pipelines, GPU kernel development, system level performance profiling, and video codec optimization for large scale data collection Design and refine advanced camera control systems and image processing algorithms to maximize visual fidelity and system responsiveness Implement diagnostic algorithms that monitor camera and optical performance over time, integrating outputs with service tools and user facing interfaces to ensure long term reliability Rapidly prototype and iterate on new features using simulation environments, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and fleet scale data insights Define technical requirements and collaborate with cross functional teams, including manufacturing, vehicle systems, and service, to continuously improve optical performance, calibration robustness, and overall system reliability

Requirements

Proficient in developing C/C++ software, including modern standards (C++14/17/20), multithreading, and Python; experience with CUDA or OpenCL is a strong plus Deep understanding of digital camera systems, including color filter arrays, exposure control, sensor timing, driver development, and in-sensor HDR techniques; hands on experience with image sensor bring-up is highly valuable Familiarity with ISP (Image Signal Processor) pipelines, low level drivers, and tuning workflows to optimize image quality across diverse conditions Working knowledge of computer vision, machine learning, and their practical implementation in perception driven systems Strong foundation in embedded software design with a focus on performance, using object oriented C++ to build reliable, low latency systems Skilled in Linux based development environments, with experience targeting embedded Linux platforms and cross-compilation toolchains considered a plus