Tooling Engineer, Optimus Program

Optimus is Tesla’s humanoid Robot, and it is a new product line for Service Tooling. We already do this for vehicles and Semi: invent the physical tools Service uses once the product has left the factory. For Optimus almost none of that equipment exists yet, and the robot is still changing. You design it, get it built, and prove it out with the people who will be using these tools and equipment to repair bots.

Responsibilities

Conceptualize, design, and develop tooling and equipment for servicing Optimus — repair, handling, testing, and field support. Mechanical design is the core of the role Lead the hands-on fabrication, assembly, and validation of prototype and production-ready tooling and fixtures Work with suppliers from requirements and development, through sample creation, technician validation, and production hardware Collaborate with Optimus design engineers, service operations, and robot technicians to understand requirements, identify challenges, and rapidly iterate solutions Develop documentation, including 3D CAD models, drawings, build procedures, and user guides. Troubleshoot, refine, and close tooling based on field use. Document what changed. Incorporate the best ideas from the team

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent industry experience Proven experience (3+ years) designing and building custom tooling, fixtures, or equipment Significant hands-on experience building prototypes, validating them with the people who use them, and turning that feedback into the next revision Proficiency in 3D CAD for mechanical design (CATIA preferred; SolidWorks or similar acceptable) Experience taking vendor-built hardware from quote and sample through validation and production A strong first-principles approach to problem-solving, with a bias for action and practical implementation Excellent ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment