AI Engineer, Embodied Intelligence, Optimus

What to Expect

Tesla is building robust embodied intelligence through autonomous driving and humanoid robots. Core to reaching this goal is developing intelligent agents that see, move, and speak in the real world. In this role, you'll architect and deploy models that allow our agents to listen, understand, and respond in real time powered by our custom AI chip on our embodied products. Your work will be central to making Optimus or our cars as seamless as talking to a friend.

Most importantly, you will see your work repeatedly shipped to and utilized by thousands of Humanoid Robots in real world applications and millions of cars.

• Define long-term architectural vision and key milestones for speech-powered, expressive character systems
• Design and develop low-latency, streaming-friendly neural models that integrate audio, language, and non-verbal cues
• Implement multimodal models for robust speech-to-speech, emotion recognition, and expressive response generation
• Drive the character-building lifecycle from research prototypes to polished, production-grade experience
• Test your models E2E on robotic platforms

• Strong software engineering practices and is very comfortable with Python and Numpy programming, debugging/profiling, and version control
• Experience with speech-related machine learning tasks: ASR, emotion detection, speaker diarization, or multimodal input processing
• Experience training and fine-tuning large-scale speech models, LLMs, or VLMs
• Familiarity with real-time audio processing and latency-constrained systems

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

• Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna 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
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary 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

$140,000 - $420,000/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.