Software Engineer, Linux Kernel, Tesla AI Tesla Motors, Inc. 140,000 - 360,000 USD paid holidays, flex time, 401(k) United States, California, Palo Alto Jul 31, 2026
What to Expect
As a Linux Kernel Engineer within the Tesla AI Linux and Sensors team, you will be a key contributor to the system software that powers one of the most advanced and widely deployed AI solutions. You will collaborate closely with both AI silicon and AI software teams, to develop and deploy operating system features that enable a wide range of Tesla AI products, including vehicle autonomy, humanoid robotics, and next-gen inference platforms. Your work will influence both current and future generations of AI silicon and platforms. What You'll Do
Pre/Post-silicon Linux bring up to mass production of the next generation AISOC
Develop andmaintainLinux device drivers for AI inference hardware accelerators, camera capture, Ethernet, UFS, and PCIE
Port andmaintain RTLinux Kernel for the custom AI system-on-chip
Define the hardware, software interactions for our next generation fully autonomous car platform, HumanoidRobotand the expanding AI inference use-cases
Develop and bring-up the system software stack that runs on the AI platform and interacts with various sensors in the car, robot
Develop features, system software tools in enhancing the functionality,performanceand power of the AI platforms
Write well-structured, testable, efficient, and maintainable code
Integrate software components into a fully functional software system What You'll Bring
Engineering Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience
Strong C-programming skills andLinux Kernel/RTOS experience preferred
3+ years of experience developing Linux device drivers for devices like CSI, Ethernet, PCIE or flash devices like UFS, eMMC,NVMe
Experience with board or SoC bring-up for ARM64, RISC-V, or x86 based platforms
Good software practices such as code review, clean codingstyleand documentation
Excellent problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills
Experience with performance analysis and tracing tools such as perf/ftrace
Experience with JTAG in any aspect of bring-up, profiling, or debugging
Experience with pre-silicon emulation/simulation environments
Experience with V4L2, Realtime-Linux is desirable 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
$140,000 - $360,000/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.