Actuator Test Engineer, Optimus

We are looking for an Electrical, Mechanical, or Mechatronic engineer to join Optimus actuator test team. You will need a broad engineering skillset and hands-on experience in testing geared electromechanical actuators.

You will join actuator design team and will be responsible for test and validation of Optimus actuators. As part of a multi-disciplinary hardware team, you will help develop the highest-performance robotic actuation systems in the world.

You will own validation test activities, bringing rigorous, structured, and methodical test practices to the team. This role requires close collaboration with hardware design, integration, manufacturing test, and reliability teams.

• Collaborate with design, reliability, and manufacturing test engineers to create bring-up, validation, qualification, and functional test plans
• Develop, implement, automate (Python, Go, MATLAB, etc.), execute test plans for electromechanical robotic actuators
• Design and fabricate test fixtures and equipment for testing robotic actuators
• Perform component (electric motor, sensor, and geartrain) level testing, actuator level, and robot level testing of geared electromechanical actuators
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis efforts to enable rapid product iteration
• Work with design engineers to validate and refine actuator designs
• Analyze test data, prepare, and present test reports
• Investigate root cause of failures and help drive actuator design improvements
• Participate in design reviews
• Manage validation activities across multiple actuators in parallel

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or demonstrated exceptional ability and equivalent experience
• 2+ years of experience in physical testing and analysis of mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical systems
• 1+ year of experience with testing electric motors, sensors (force, torque, rotary position encoders, current, voltage), and electromechanical actuators
• 1+ year of experience with dynamometer testing and equipment (torque transducers, power analyzers, oscilloscopes, etc.)
• Working understanding of motor control (current, torque, speed, and position control)
• Component and system testing experience, including certification testing
• Proven ability to create and execute design validation plans and test methods
• Design of test setups for actuator testing and validation; CAD (CATIA, NX, Inventor, Solid Works, etc.; basic fabrication, machining, wiring, general electronics, debugging, and parts chasing
• Scripting in Python, Go, MATLAB; fluency in test automation, data acquisition, and analysis software; strong experience using DAQ systems NI (or other), PLC (Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or other automation environment)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to distill technical information for the appropriate audience

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

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.