Tesla · 2 days ago
Sr. Thermal Test Engineer, Autopilot Hardware
Palo Alto, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$80K/yr - $204K/yrTesla is a fast-growing company dedicated to advancing the world’s transition to sustainable energy through validation of thermal systems. The Sr. Thermal Test Engineer will lead the design and execution of test plans for validating the power and thermals of autopilot cooling systems, ensuring quality and reliability across vehicle platforms.
AutomotiveElectric VehicleEnergyManufacturingRenewable EnergyTransportation
Responsibilities
Own and drive hardware validation efforts for thermal management for the AP chip and silicon level cooling systems. Your job is to figure out how these products could fail and to collaborate with design partners to drive changes
Test, debug, and validate vehicle thermal hardware and firmware at the component, system, and full vehicle levels — including the debugging and validation of Tesla designed testing equipment and systems within a dedicated test infrastructure for comprehensive validation and performance
Write and maintain test software to automate test execution, data collection and data analysis. Optimize test setups and infrastructure, driving continuous improvements and greater efficiency in validation processes
Manage tests from setup through execution and reporting, including test planning, traceability, development, execution, inspections, root cause analysis, and data processing
Ensure test findings are well-documented and quickly communicated to external teams, root cause test failures and work with design and software partners, failure analysis lab, reliability team and potentially suppliers to arrive at a corrective action
Develop and maintain validation schedules, coordinate test resources, and communicate status/blockers to program managers
Actively engage with teams across the organization to seek assistance, identify company tools, and propose process enhancements that elevate our testing setups and overall validation processes
Qualification
Required
Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent experience
Strong high-level background in CAN communication, including hands-on experience with network configuration, integration, and troubleshooting within automotive or similar embedded systems environments
Coding experience with Python, Pytest, Git, and/or C
Experience using standard lab and test equipment such as power supplies, DAQs, pressure transducers, flow meters, temperature sensors
A background in Thermodynamics with an understanding of refrigeration and coolant systems
Working principals of common thermal components
Experience configuring and maintaining Jenkins pipelines to streamline development and support continuous integration processes
Familiarity with Linux-based development environments and command-line tools for managing test equipment, running automated tests, and debugging hardware/system issues
Experience working with high voltage and low voltage component validation (inverters, power electronics, motors)
Experience using controlled environmental chambers to perform validation tests, develop and execute test plans, and verify system performance under varying conditions
Familiarity with applying electrical engineering principles to troubleshoot and validate both vehicle systems and test infrastructure setups
Benefits
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
Company
Tesla
Tesla is an electric vehicle and clean energy company that provides electric cars, solar, and renewable energy solutions.
Founded in 2003
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Tesla has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (2796)
2024 (2113)
2023 (1304)
2022 (1227)
2021 (1102)
2020 (723)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$20.12BKey Investors
Societe GeneraleEuropean UnionPennDOT
2024-10-05Post Ipo Debt· $783M
2023-09-13Grant· $159.6M
2023-08-15Grant· $0.23M
Leadership Team
Vaibhav Taneja
Chief Financial Officer
Tom Zhu
SVP of Automotive
Recent News
2026-01-09
2026-01-09
2026-01-09
Company data provided by crunchbase