Automotive Photographer and Digital Retoucher

Overview

Tesla is looking for an Automotive Photographer and Digital Retoucher to produce and refine imagery of its vehicles and other products. The role sits within a creative team that develops high-end visual content across branding, graphic design, video, photography, and related creative work. It is based in Los Angeles, California, and reports to the Visual Design Manager at the design studio.

The position calls for a strong photography background, creative problem-solving, and flexibility to contribute beyond shooting and retouching when needed. Depending on your strengths, you may also support tasks such as pre-production, location scouting, or on-set assistance.

Key Responsibilities

You will work on capturing and enhancing images of Tesla products, while also partnering with different teams to help deliver polished visual assets. The role requires both independent execution and collaboration across departments.

• Create and retouch imagery of Tesla vehicles and other products, including Solar Roof, Solar Panels, merchandise, vehicle accessories, and lifestyle content.
• Coordinate with teams such as factory operations and engineer testing groups to plan and execute photography projects.
• Work effectively both within the content team and on your own when projects require individual ownership.
• Diagnose and correct issues in digital images using the tools available.
• Partner with internal stakeholders from areas such as sales, engineering, digital modeling, and architecture when projects involve them.
• Contribute to discussions around timing, workflow, and strategy as they relate to the brand and visual standards.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with stakeholders from other disciplines to keep creative output aligned.
• Take on design-related work outside your core specialty when the project or your skill set calls for it.

Requirements

• A degree in Graphic Design or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 4 years of relevant professional experience.
• A portfolio that demonstrates original thinking, a broad range of work, and a clean, modern, minimalist aesthetic.
• Strong proficiency with photography equipment and editing tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, VirtualRig, CaptureOne, CameraRAW, and Lightroom.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and strong visual as well as verbal communication abilities.
• Self-driven approach with the ability to handle several projects at once and deliver strong results under tight deadlines.
• Solid automotive photography skills covering both interior and exterior shoots, with a strong understanding of lighting, camera gear, and studio plus on-location production.
• Advanced digital retouching ability, especially for automotive images shot inside and outside the vehicle.

Benefits

• Competitive pay along with cash and stock awards.
• Health coverage options available from day one, including plans with $0 payroll deduction.
• Family-building support, including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental and vision plans, both with options that require no paycheck contribution.
• Company-funded HSA contribution when enrolled in the high-deductible medical plan with HSA.
• Healthcare FSA and dependent care FSA options.
• 401(k) with employer match, employee stock purchase plan, and additional financial benefits.
• Company-paid basic life and AD&D coverage.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance, with a 90-day waiting period.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Sick time, vacation time, and paid holidays.
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources.
• Voluntary benefits such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft and legal services, and pet insurance.
• Weight loss and tobacco cessation programs.
• Tesla Babies program.
• Commuter benefits.
• Employee discounts and perks program.

Compensation

The expected annual base salary for this role is between $60,800 and $148,200, plus cash and stock awards and benefits. Final pay may differ based on location, skills, experience, and other job-related factors.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, onsite role in Hawthorne, CA. The posting does not specify a vacancy count, application deadline, start date, or internship duration.