Drive Unit Software Product Support Engineer

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a Drive Unit Software Product Support Engineer to own drive-unit and electric-drivetrain diagnostics across our passenger vehicles and unsupervised Robotaxi fleet.

This role sits at the intersection of Silicon Valley development teams and the global service and fleet-operations network. You will diagnose complex, software-defined electromechanical drive units — traction motors, gearboxes and differentials, oil pumps and lubrication circuits, seals and bearings, inverters, sensors, and the firmware that propels and protects the vehicle — that must run reliably in high-volume consumer cars and fully unsupervised robotaxis.

Drive-unit versions are multiplying — motors, inverters, oil and cooling, platform assemblies — and the same alert no longer means the same repair. You will make that complexity serviceable: what can be repaired versus replaced, which revision belongs on which vehicle, and how the work gets done in the field. You will also respond to highest level of technical escalations for field and fleet issues and a builder of next-generation diagnostic software, AI-assisted tools, and fleet telemetry pipelines. A deep background in diagnosing safety-critical rotating machinery with heavy embedded-software content is required. You must be passionate about Tesla’s products, a rigorous systems thinker, and comfortable at the boundary of mechanical hardware, firmware, diagnostics, and large-scale fleet operations.

What You'll Do

• Serve as subject-matter expert and technical escalation for drive-unit / electric-powertrain issues across passenger vehicles and Robotaxi / Cybercab fleets
• Provide real-time diagnostic support to service centers and fleet operations using vehicle logs, alerts, CAN/Ethernet signals, fleet telemetry, and remote debug — and drive the correct next action
• Separate true hardware failure (motor, gearbox, oil system, inverter, sensor) from firmware, sensor validity, commissioning, and alert-noise problems across a rapidly growing set of drive-unit variants
• Own service compatibility as drive-unit versions escalate — interchange, repair-versus-replace, reman rules — so technicians do not install the wrong unit
• Develop diagnostic techniques, procedures, and AI-assisted tools that automate diagnosis for technicians, fleet operators, and remote support. You will co-own development of Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), smart diagnostic decision trees, in-vehicle service UI, vehicle self-test / commissioning routines (oil service, pump configuration, rotor / offset learn, controller clone / restore), and technician-facing repair guidance
• Build diagnostic software, automation scripts, and fleet telemetry / analysis pipelines (Python + modern data stacks) that scale across passenger vehicles and unsupervised robotaxis
• Define on-board diagnostic strategies, predictive alerts, and service-oriented behavior with firmware partners; implement where the drive unit intersects fleet uptime
• Drive product improvements in hardware, firmware, and system architecture that raise reliability, lower service cost, protect robotaxi / fleet utilization, and keep new drive-unit versions serviceable from day one
• Author theory-of-operation and troubleshooting documentation so global service and fleet teams can diagnose efficiently in supervised and unsupervised environments
• Partner with hardware, firmware, quality, reman, and diagnostics teams on root-cause analysis; occasional travel to service sites, factories, reman, or robotaxi hubs and off-hours support for critical fleet events

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Automotive Technology, Robotics, or equivalent practical experience with strong electromechanical depth
• Experience providing real-time technical support or diagnostics on complex physical products (vehicles or industrial systems); exposure to autonomous, highly automated, or high-utilization fleets is highly valued
• System-level debug skill across rotating machinery, lubrication / cooling, inverters, vehicle networks (CAN/Ethernet), sensors/actuators, and the software that coordinates them — not only firmware, and not only teardown
• Working Python skills; ability to read and reason about C/C++ and embedded firmware a strong plus
• Experience with data acquisition, fleet telemetry, SQL/analytics pipelines, and modern diagnostic tooling at fleet scale
• Solid drive-unit / e-motor / gearbox / inverter / lubrication fundamentals — enough to challenge hardware and firmware and write correct diagnostic and compatibility logic
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, exploded views, oil / hydraulic schematics, electrical schematics, and system architecture diagrams
• Experience building or improving diagnostics (guided fault trees, service tools, commissioning / service routines, or embedded diagnostic firmware) preferred
• Working knowledge of automotive communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Automotive Ethernet) and comfort debugging mixed electromechanical systems with heavy embedded software
• Clear written communication, ownership when the field or fleet is blocked, and comfort in a high-velocity environment spanning passenger vehicles and unsupervised robotaxi fleets. Experience with part interchange, remanufacturing, or multi-generation hardware compatibility is a plus

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• 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

Expected Compensation

$113,424 - $248,880/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.