Silicon Chip Lead, AI Hardware

What to Expect

The Tesla AI Hardware team is at the forefront of revolutionizing artificial intelligence through cutting-edge hardware innovation. Comprising brilliant engineers and visionaries, the team designs and develops advanced AI inference chips tailored to accelerate Tesla’s machine learning capabilities. A key part of this effort is Dojo, Tesla's custom supercomputer system built to efficiently train massive neural networks on vast video data from the fleet. The work of Tesla's AI Hardware team powers the neural networks behind Full Self-Driving (FSD), and Tesla humanoid robot, Optimus, pushing the boundaries of computational efficiency and performance. By creating custom silicon and optimized architectures, the team ensures Tesla remains a leader in AI-driven automotive and energy solutions, shaping a future where intelligent machines enhance human life. We're looking for a Silicon Chip Lead to own the technical direction and execution of our AI processors — from architecture and RTL through verification, tapeout, silicon bring-up, and product integration. You'll lead a team of chip designers and verification engineers, set technical standards, and work cross-functionally with firmware, systems, and product teams to ship silicon that meets performance, power, and cost targets.

What You'll Do

• Work with our chip architecture and micro-architecture teams in partnership with systems and product stakeholders to extend our AI roadmap across auto, datacenter, and robot.
• Enable RTL design, verification strategy, and sign-off across the SoC or IP blocks in your charge
• Enable tapeout process: synthesis, place-and-route coordination, timing closure, DFT, and foundry engagement
• Enable silicon bring-up and debug, working closely with firmware and test engineering
• Own schedule, risk tracking, and technical tradeoff decisions (power/performance/area/cost) for your program
• Interface with EDA vendors, IP vendors, and foundry/fab partners
• Report technical status and risks to engineering leadership

What You'll Bring

• 8+ years in ASIC/SoC design or verification, with at least 2+ years leading a team or program
• Track record of taking a chip through tapeout to production silicon
• Strong fundamentals in digital design, RTL (Verilog/SystemVerilog), and verification methodologies (UVM or equivalent)
• Experience with physical design flow (synthesis, timing closure, DFT) and working with foundry partners
• Comfortable making power/performance/area tradeoffs and communicating them to non-hardware stakeholders
• Strong debugging skills across simulation, emulation, and post-silicon bring-up
• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience
• Track record of managing schedules and ongoing tradeoffs between schedule and performance
• Ability to anticipate technical and schedule problems before they happen

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

$128,000 - $432,000/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.