Software Engineer in San Francisco + Shape the Future of Autonomous Tech

Join Tesla’s groundbreaking Autopilot team in San Francisco to build the software that defines the next era of transportation. You will tackle complex, real-world challenges in computer vision, AI, and systems engineering, directly contributing to a safer and more sustainable world. This is a rare opportunity to see your code deployed in millions of vehicles globally.

About the Role

As a Software Engineer on the Autopilot team, you will be at the heart of Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. You will design, develop, and deploy robust, high-performance software that processes massive streams of sensor data in real-time. Your work will directly impact the capability, safety, and reliability of our full self-driving stack. This is not a theoretical role; it’s a hands-on, high-velocity engineering position where your contributions are immediately visible on the road.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize core C++ and Python software for the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) stack.
• Build scalable data pipelines and tools for processing petabytes of driving data from our global fleet.
• Collaborate closely with AI researchers, hardware engineers, and vehicle validation teams to iterate rapidly from simulation to real-world deployment.
• Diagnose and resolve complex system-level issues with a focus on performance, determinism, and safety.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-tested code in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

We are looking for exceptional engineers with a strong foundation in computer science and a passion for solving ambiguous problems. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative setting but is also capable of driving projects to completion with significant autonomy.

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years of professional software development experience with a strong command of C++ and/or Python.
• Excellence in system design, data structures, and algorithms.
• Proven ability to write high-performance, reliable code for resource-constrained systems.
• Experience with Linux/Unix environments and version control (Git).
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience in robotics, autonomous systems, computer vision, or machine learning.
• Familiarity with GPU programming (CUDA), parallel computing, or real-time operating systems.
• Background in large-scale data processing (e.g., Spark, Dask) or cloud infrastructure (AWS/GCP).
• Contributions to open-source projects or a strong public portfolio of work.

Compensation & Benefits

Tesla is committed to compensating our team exceptionally well. For this role in San Francisco, the estimated total compensation ranges from $140,000 to $190,000 USD per year. This range includes base salary, cash bonuses, and the value of Tesla equity grants. Your final offer will be based on your unique skills, experience, and impact potential.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

• Equity: Meaningful stock grants so you own a piece of the company you’re building.
• Health: Premium medical, dental, and vision plans with low employee costs.
• Financial: 401(k) with company match, generous paid time off, and parental leave.
• Wellness: Access to on-site fitness centers, wellness programs, and mental health resources.
• Transportation: Commuter benefits and the unique perk of experiencing our products firsthand.
• Learning: Continuous learning stipend and internal knowledge-sharing forums.

Why Tesla?

At Tesla, you will work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry on problems that matter. We move fast, take calculated risks, and are driven by a singular mission. Our culture is entrepreneurial, transparent, and demanding, but deeply rewarding. You will have an unparalleled level of responsibility and the satisfaction of building technology that will literally change the world. If you are ready to apply your genius to the most challenging engineering problems of our time, we want to hear from you.