FPGA Engineer, Vehicle Software - Palo Alto [274599]
- Tesla
- Palo Alto, CA
- Aug 30, 2026
Job Description
Tesla's Vehicle Software team is building out its Processor in the Loop (PIL) test infrastructure — a rack-based cluster that validates ECU firmware by running it on real processors while emulating surrounding vehicle hardware in real time. PIL serves as a force multiplier: By abstracting away specific board designs, we test firmware for a variety of components on common hardware as long as they share a microprocessor. PIL also enables firmware teams to get ahead of hardware development, providing an advanced dev-kit environment before physical boards are fabricated. This approach ensures the sim-to-reality gap remains marginal as our vehicles take on increasingly complex, software-driven responsibilities.
The Role
- Design, implement, and verify RTL (Verilog/SystemVerilog) targeting Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ SOM platforms
- Develop FPGA-based peripheral emulation cores for automotive protocols including SPI, I2C, CAN, SENT, and LIN
- Build stimulus generation and output capture logic to exercise and observe real processors under test
- Integrate FPGA emulation boards into the PIL rack cluster, supporting a range of processor targets used across Vehicle Software
- Collaborate cross-functionally with hardware teams designing the physical boards being emulated and the emulation hardware, and with firmware teams writing the code under test
- Bring up, debug, and characterize FPGA designs on hardware using tools such as Vivado, ILA, and bench instrumentation
Requirements
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience
- Proficiency in RTL design (VHDL, Verilog, or SystemVerilog)
- Experience with Xilinx FPGA toolchains (Vivado synthesis, implementation, and debug)
- Strong working knowledge of low-level communication protocols: SPI, I2C, CAN, SENT, LIN
- Comfort reading schematics and debugging at the hardware/firmware boundary
Qualifications
Immediate Fill
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.
Tesla was founded in 2003 by a group of engineers who wanted to prove that people didn’t need to compromise to drive electric – that electric vehicles can be better, quicker and more fun to drive than gasoline cars. Today, Tesla builds not only all-electric vehicles but also infinitely scalable clean energy generation and storage products. Tesla believes the faster the world stops relying on fossil fuels and moves towards a zero-emission future, the better.
Launched in 2008, the Roadster unveiled Tesla’s cutting-edge battery technology and electric powertrain. From there, Tesla designed the world’s first ever premium all-electric sedan from the ground up – Model S – which has become the best car in its class in every category. Combining safety, performance, and efficiency, Model S has reset the world’s expectations for the car of the 21st century with the longest range of any electric vehicle, over-the-air software updates that make it better over time, and a record 0-60 mph acceleration time of 2.28 seconds as measured by Motor Trend. In 2015, Tesla expanded its product line with Model X, the safest, quickest and most capable sport utility vehicle in history that holds 5-star safety ratings across every category from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Completing CEO Elon Musk’s “Secret Master Plan,” in 2016, Tesla introduced Model 3, a low-priced, high-volume electric vehicle that began production in 2017. Soon after, Tesla unveiled the safest, most comfortable truck ever – Tesla Semi – which is designed to save owners at least $200,000 over a million miles based on fuel costs alone. In 2019, Tesla unveiled Model Y, a mid-size SUV, with seating for up to seven, and Cybertruck, which will have better utility than a traditional truck and more performance than a sports car.
Tesla vehicles are produced at its factory in Fremont, California, and Gigafactory Shanghai. To achieve our goal of having the safest factories in the world, Tesla is taking a proactive approach to safety, requiring production employees to participate in a multi-day training program before ever setting foot on the factory floor. From there, Tesla continues to provide on-the-job training and track performance daily so that improvements can be made quickly. The result is that Tesla’s safety rate continues to improve while production ramps.
To create an entire sustainable energy ecosystem, Tesla also manufactures a unique set of energy solutions, Powerwall, Powerpack and Solar Roof, enabling homeowners, businesses, and utilities to manage renewable energy generation, storage, and consumption. Supporting Tesla’s automotive and energy products is Gigafactory 1 – a facility designed to significantly reduce battery cell costs. By bringing cell production in-house, Tesla manufactures batteries at the volumes required to meet production goals, while creating thousands of jobs.
And this is just the beginning. With Tesla building its most affordable car yet, Tesla continues to make products accessible and affordable to more and more people, ultimately accelerating the advent of clean transport and clean energy production. Electric cars, batteries, and renewable energy generation and storage already exist independently, but when combined, they become even more powerful – that’s the future we want.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits starting on Day
1 of hire:
• Healthcare Coverage: Medical plans with $0 payroll deduction options, Dental (including orthodontic coverage), Vision
plans ($0 paycheck contribution options), and company-paid Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions.
• Family & Support: Family-building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits; back-up childcare; parenting support
resources; and the Tesla Babies program.
• Financial Security: 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), Flexible Spending Accounts
(Healthcare & Dependent Care FSA), and company-paid Basic Life & AD&D insurance.
• Disability & Assistance: Short-term and long-term disability insurance, and 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance
Program (EAP).
• Time Off: Flexible paid time off for salaried roles / accrued paid hours for hourly roles, plus paid company
holidays.
• Perks & Voluntary Benefits: Critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, legal/identity theft services,
pet insurance, commuter benefits, and employee discounts.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT
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. If
you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the interview process, please let your recruiter know.
E-VERIFY PARTICIPATION
Tesla participates in the E-Verify Program in certain locations as required by law to confirm work authorization.