Sr. Technical Animator, Optimus

Tesla is on a path to build humanoid robots at scale to automate repetitive and boring tasks. As a member of Tesla's Optimus Simulation team, you will be in a unique position to accelerate the pace at which the Optimus autonomy stack improves over time. Optimus simulation team is responsible for building core components to virtualize all aspects of Optimus which in turn are used for understanding, testing bot functionality and generating synthetic datasets for training deep neural nets. As a Technical Animator on the Optimus Simulation Team, you will play a key role in creating highly realistic robot motions and animations that aid in training neural network models that are deployed on the bot.

Responsibilities

• Extensive experience working with motion capture data, including cleaning, retargeting, and implementing in real-time engines
• Strong background in character animation, rigging, and physics-based movement
• Experience developing animation pipelines for AAA games or large-scale productions
• Strong background in kinematics (FK/IK), motion blending, and dynamic movement systems

Requirements

• Proficiency in scripting (Python, MEL) and working with animation tools
• Strong understanding of real-time animation constraints and optimization techniques
• Familiarity with machine learning and AI-driven animation techniques is a plus
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to optimize workflows

Compensation and Benefits
Benefits

As a full-time Tesla seasonal employee, you will be eligible for:

• Aetna medical plan with an HSA (Health Savings Account) with a $0 employee cost
• Employee contribution into an HSA
• Dental and vision plans with a $0 employee cost
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• 401(k) and other financial benefits
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick time after 90 days of employment 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
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program
Expected Compensation

$25.60 - $60.00/hour + 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.