Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Robotics Mechanical Design Engineer

Design EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timePalo Alto, CA, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, with expertise in gear design, or equivalent experience; an advanced degree is preferred.
At least 3 years designing rotary or linear gear systems for high-torque electromechanical applications.
Proven experience optimizing gear trains for efficiency, durability, and force density.
Proficiency in computer-aided design tools such as SolidWorks or CATIA for gear system design.
A deep understanding of planetary, cycloidal, harmonic, and ball screw gear mechanisms.
Experience with finite element analysis or computational modeling for gear systems.
Knowledge of gear analysis tools such as MASTA, ROMAX, or Transmission 3D.
Familiarity with gear manufacturing processes such as hobbing, grinding, and 3D printing.
Analytical skills in thermal management and mechanical stress analysis.
Hands-on experience with gear prototyping, testing, and calibration, and knowledge of industry standards such as AGMA and ISO for gear design and quality.

Responsibilities

Design and optimize gear trains for torque and force density in rotary and linear actuator systems.
Collaborate with electromagnetic motor teams to align gear systems with motor performance goals.
Evaluate and implement advanced gear technologies, including planetary, cycloidal, and harmonic drives, for efficiency and reliability.
Develop prototypes to validate gear system performance under dynamic loads.
Conduct thermal, stress, and wear analysis to ensure gear durability and reliability.
Partner with manufacturing and supply chain teams to refine gear production processes.
Troubleshoot and resolve gear-related performance issues during prototyping and production.
Document gear design specifications and test results for iterative improvement.
Explore novel gear configurations to reduce weight, cost, and complexity.
Support validation of gear systems against actuator-level efficiency and torque requirements.

Category	Tesla SI
Location	Palo Alto, California
Requisition ID	264636
Type	Full-time

Job Description

Tesla’s actuator team designs and builds actuators for humanoid bi-pedal robots (Tesla Bot). The team integrates mechanical, electrical, and electromagnetic engineering disciplines in a collaborative environment. This role focuses on the design, optimization, and industrialization of high-performance gear systems for electromechanical actuators. You will contribute to gear design efforts to achieve exceptional torque density, efficiency, and reliability in rotary and linear actuator applications.

Job Responsibilities

Design and optimize gear trains for torque and force density in rotary/linear actuator systems
Collaborate with electromagnetic motor teams to align gear systems with motor performance goals
Evaluate and implement advanced gear technologies (e.g., planetary, cycloidal, harmonic drives) for efficiency and reliability
Develop prototypes for validating gear system performance under dynamic loads
Conduct thermal, stress, and wear analysis to ensure gear durability and reliability
Partner with manufacturing and supply chain teams to refine gear production processes
Troubleshoot and resolve gear-related performance issues during prototyping and production
Document gear design specifications and test results for iterative improvement
Explore novel gear configurations to reduce weight, cost, and complexity
Support validation of gear systems against actuator-level efficiency and torque requirements

Job Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with expertise in gear design, or equivalent experience (advanced degree preferred)
3+ years designing rotary/linear gear systems for high-torque electromechanical applications
Proven experience in gear train optimization for efficiency, durability, and force density
Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA) for gear system design
Deep understanding of planetary, cycloidal, harmonic, and ball screw gear mechanisms
Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) or computational modeling for gear systems
Knowledge in common tools like, MASTA, ROMAX, Transmission 3D, etc.
Familiarity with gear manufacturing processes (e.g., hobbing, grinding, 3D printing)
Strong analytical skills in thermal management and mechanical stress analysis
Hands-on experience with gear prototyping, testing, and calibration and knowledge of industry standards (e.g., AGMA, ISO) for gear design and quality

About the Company

Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Tesla makes electric cars and batteries that store power for homes and utilities, and it develops self-driving software and humanoid robots. In 2023, its Model Y became the first electric vehicle to rank as the world's best-selling car. Buyers order the Model 3 sedan, Model Y SUV, or Cybertruck pickup directly from Tesla instead of through dealers, and they charge on its Supercharger fast-charging network. It also sells Megapack and Powerwall batteries, runs a robotaxi service, and charges drivers a monthly fee for self-driving software that still needs their supervision. Tesla was founded in 2003, with Elon Musk as its lead early investor and a recognized co-founder, and it is based in Austin, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Austin, TX
Founded: 2003

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at Tesla

See more jobs