Embedded Linux Engineer, Optimus - Tesla

Polluxa, Inc.; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Tesla is building scalable humanoid robotics and needs an Embedded Linux Engineer to power the Optimus platform. You will bring up new SoCs, customize BSPs, develop kernel modules, and enable high-speed interfaces across Linux, RTOS, and bare-metal domains.

You will work with a small, fast-moving firmware team to deliver production-grade embedded systems at scale and collaborate with hardware, connectivity, and compute groups.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of relevant experience in real-time embedded software development.
• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related fields.
• Experience configuring and building Linux distributions (Buildroot, Yocto).
• Hands-on with kernel configuration, cross-compilation, and drivers.
• Experience with Linux kernel modules and BSP integrations.

Responsibilities

• Develop real-time embedded software and C++ applications for robotics.
• Bring up SoCs and carrier boards; integrate vendor BSPs and configure device trees.
• Develop Linux kernel modules and platform drivers; support peripherals.
• Build automated testing infrastructure for high-quality releases.
• Collaborate with hardware, connectivity, and compute teams on design and prototyping.
• Own features through firmware lifecycle from development to release.

Skills

Real-time embedded software

C++

Linux kernel modules

Device trees

SoC bring-up

Cross-compilation

BSP integration

Kernel configuration

Ethernet PHY

I2C/SPI/UART

Education

BS in Computer Science / Computer Engineering / Electrical Engineering

Tools

Buildroot

Yocto

Linux kernel tooling

GDB/trace tools

Job description

Tesla is building humanoid robots at scale to automate unsafe, repetitive, and boring tasks. Optimus will fundamentally change how work gets done, and the embedded software that runs on it has to be exceptionally robust, efficient, and reliable.

We are looking for an Embedded Linux Engineer to develop the software that powers the Optimus platform. You will work across Linux bring-up on application processors and real-time firmware on heterogeneous compute architectures. In this role you will bring up new SoCs and carrier boards, integrate and customize vendor BSPs, develop Linux kernel modules and drivers, stand up high-speed communication interfaces, and build application-level software that enables critical robotics subsystems.

The robotics firmware team is small, agile, and fast-moving. You will work alongside deeply experienced engineers using modern tools and practices to ship production-grade embedded systems at scale.

• Develop scalable real-time embedded software and modern C++ applications, including audio DSP, display drivers, and high-speed communication drivers
• Design and implement embedded system architecture for inter-process and inter-processor communication, boot flows, and updater mechanisms across Linux, RTOS, and bare-metal domains
• Bring up new SoCs and carrier boards: integrate vendor BSPs, configure device trees, and validate peripheral functionality
• Develop Linux kernel modules, platform drivers, and board support package customizations
• Build automated testing infrastructure to ensure high-quality releases and full system functionality
• Own features through the full firmware lifecycle, development, integration, testing, and release, as the Optimus fleet scales
• Partner closely with electronics, connectivity, and compute teams to influence hardware designs and prototype new systems
• 2+ years of relevant experience in real-time embedded software development
• Degree in Computer Science, Physics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or proof of exceptional skills in related fields, with practical software engineering experience, or equivalent experience
• Experience configuring and building Linux distributions (Buildroot, Yocto, or similar); hands‑on experience with kernel configuration and cross-compilation toolchains
• Experience developing Linux kernel modules and platform drivers, plus integrating vendor BSPs
• Working knowledge of SoC device trees and common peripherals/buses: I2C, SPI, UART, PWM, ADC, eMMC/SD, PCIe, USB, Ethernet (MAC/PHY/MDIO), and CAN
• Experience with Ethernet PHY bring‑up, PHY drivers, MDIO, and link‑layer debugging (TSN, PTP, and/or AVB exposure is a plus)
• Ability to read electrical schematics and understand basic circuit behavior
• Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or equivalent practical experience

Benefits