Staff Manufacturing Test Engineer, Optimus

Tesla is seeking a highly skilled Staff Manufacturing Test Engineer to lead efforts in the Optimus Manufacturing Operations Team in Fremont. In this role, you will drive the development, optimization, and scaling of testing strategies for the production of revolutionary humanoid robots (Tesla Bot). As a technical leader, you will guide a team of engineers while collaborating with multidisciplinary experts in mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and manufacturing engineering to innovate manufacturing processes. This position demands deep technical expertise, strategic vision, and the ability to lead in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the sustainment and continuous improvement of test equipment and software for Optimus robot manufacturing, working in both individual contributor and team leadership capacities to ensure robust, scalable infrastructure Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, process engineering, quality engineering, and production/maintenance to understand operational constraints and with Optimus design teams (including mechanical, electrical, and software) to define optimized test specifications that balance high yield with stringent quality standards Oversee and contribute to the electrical and mechanical design of advanced test equipment, including leading debug and validation efforts to ensure reliability before deployment to high-volume production lines Manage a team of Test Engineers & technicians, providing mentorship, performance guidance, and resource allocation to deliver on project timelines; foster a collaborative environment to drive innovation and problem-solving across the group Conduct strategic reviews of manufacturing test data, including root cause analysis, yield optimization, and implementation of corrective actions; lead Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical studies to refine test parameters Drive the full documentation of all projects, including test protocols, team processes, and lessons learned, while ensuring compliance with Tesla's quality and safety standards; mentor engineers in documentation best practices Champion cross-functional initiatives to scale testing deployments globally, identifying opportunities for process innovation and risk mitigation through tools like PFMEA (Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)

Requirements

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent relevant industry experience 8+ years of experience in high-volume electronics and robotics hardware manufacturing testing, with proven leadership in test strategy development at PCBA, component, and system levels Deep hands-on expertise in testing complex systems, including PCBA, IMU (Inertial Measurement Units), force-sensitive sensors, linear/rotary actuators, dynos, harnesses, cameras, mic/speaker systems, or high-performance computing hardware Strong proficiency in PFMEA, advanced statistical data analysis, Gage R&R (Repeatability and Reproducibility) studies, and tools for database integration and reporting Experience designing and integrating testing hardware such as programmable power supplies, CAN converters, linear/rotary stages, PLCs, and custom automation into production environments Demonstrated leadership experience managing engineering teams, with excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder management skills Ability to read and understand software code (e.g., Python, Golang, C, C++, LabVIEW)