Tesla Expands Workforce to Boost Production of Optimus Robots

Electric vehicle giant Tesla Inc. (TSLA) is actively seeking to hire a range of engineers and manufacturing technicians as it prepares to accelerate the production of its humanoid robot, known as Optimus.

What’s Happening: Tesla's careers page is filled with job openings for various roles including production manager, manufacturing quality technician, and manufacturing engineer, primarily based in California. The company aims to enhance its workforce to support the development and production processes of the Optimus robot.

A job listing for a process engineer describes that the selected candidate will be responsible for “identifying and resolving key constraints to full-scale production” and leading the cross-functional implementation of intricate assembly procedures.

Karissa Thein, a Senior Sourcer at Tesla, shared on LinkedIn, “My team is turning Tesla Bot into a reality! We’re building Tesla Bot in our Fremont Factory in California and we’re looking for engineers ready to tackle the challenge of ramping this product up for high-volume production.”

Why This Matters: CEO Elon Musk indicated last month that Tesla plans to produce several thousand units of the Optimus robot within the year. These robots will primarily operate in Tesla’s factories, assisting with tasks employees prefer to avoid. The initial production will influence the next version of the robot, expected to launch in mid-2024 and potentially be sold to other companies.

Musk noted that while the company aims to convert a few thousand Optimus robots this year for factory chores, there is no set date for when the upgraded version will be available. He also addressed the pricing, stating that the production cost of the robot could drop below $20,000 once output reaches one million units annually. However, the final retail price will be determined by market demand, which he is confident will remain strong due to the diverse applications of the Optimus robot.

In a bold prediction, Musk remarked, "I believe long-term, Optimus could generate over $10 trillion in revenue. It’s a game changer."

Stay tuned for more updates on Tesla's innovative projects and workforce expansions.

Tesla, Optimus, robots