Machine Learning Hardware Performance Engineer, Self-Driving Hardware

Join Tesla's Self-Driving Hardware team to pioneer the next generation of AI accelerators and compute architectures for autonomous vehicles. In this role, you will focus on performance modeling, architectural exploration, and hardware-software co-design to optimize Tesla's custom machine learning silicon. The ideal candidate is an experienced Hardware Performance Engineer, with strong understanding of ML applications, and is comfortable working rapidly in a small-team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop performance models and simulation tools to evaluate hardware architectures for machine learning workloads
• Analyze and optimize neural network performance on current and next-gen AI accelerators
• Collaborate with hardware architects and software teams to identify bottlenecks, propose architectural improvements, and validate design trade-offs
• Create benchmarking frameworks to assess performance, power, and latency of ML workloads
• Conduct pre- and post-silicon performance analysis to correlate models with real-world hardware behavior
• Drive hardware-software co-optimization by translating neural network trends into architectural requirements
• Document and communicate findings to cross-functional teams to guide future hardware roadmaps

Requirements

• Engineering degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of industry/research experience in performance modeling, hardware architecture, or ML acceleration
• Strong understanding of AI accelerators, GPU/CPU architectures, memory hierarchies, and parallel computing
• Proficiency in Python/C++ for modeling, analysis, and automation; familiarity with ML frameworks
• Knowledge of neural network architectures and their computational demands
• Proven ability to work with hardware/software teams to translate algorithmic needs into hardware features
• Clear documentation and presentation skills for technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Knowledge of compiler optimizations or ML graph lowering is a plus

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:

• 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