Staff Engineer · Tesla

Fernando Fernandez

From automotive technician to software engineer. Building diagnostic automation systems that have generated $12.8M in documented savings.

$12.8M
Savings
38%
Time Reduced
7,500+
Automations
84%
ML Accuracy
01

About

Self-taught engineer with 11+ years hands-on experience

I started my career as an automotive technician, diagnosing engine problems by sound and instinct. Every engine told a story. I taught myself Python through YouTube tutorials after work.

That curiosity led me from the shop floor to Staff Product Support Engineer at Tesla, where I now build the diagnostic automation systems that help technicians work smarter.

Based in Texas, I bring a unique perspective—hands-on problem solving, slow-smoked brisket on weekends, and the grit to run 26.2 miles.

02

Career

2024 — Present
Staff Product Support Engineer
Tesla · Service Engineering

Leading diagnostic automation initiatives. Built 4 subsystem autodiags still in production. Driving the conversion from visual to Python-based diagnostics.

2020 — 2024
Senior Product Support Engineer
Tesla · Tactical Response Team

Traveled to service centers and the factory to support critical tasks. Discovered Autodiag and taught myself Python to contribute.

2016 — 2020
Field Technical Specialist
Tesla · Mobile Service

Traveled to customers' homes and ranches. Learned the critical importance of remote diagnostics and telemetry-based problem solving.

2011 — 2016
ASE Master Technician
Jaguar Dealerships

Passed all 8 ASE tests. Specialized in electrical diagnostics and complex system troubleshooting across Pasadena and San Antonio.

03

Work

01

Service Analytics Dashboard

ETL pipeline processing 30K+ daily events. Primary tool for 105+ stakeholders.

$12.8M
Savings
02

High Confidence Automation

Real-time Kafka consumer with eligibility logic for automated corrections.

38%
Time Reduced
03

ML Classification System

Sentence transformer for multilingual narrative classification.

84%+
Accuracy
04

Diagnostic Externalization

Right-to-repair diagnostic tools. 9/18 networks shipped externally.

500+
Executions
04

Beyond Work

🔥

BBQ

2x Competition Winner

Expertise in offset smoking. Organized the "Meat Assassins Brisket Cook-Off."

🏃

Marathon

4:29:46 PR

Training for future races with ambitious time goals. Same persistence that drives my code.

🤠

Texas

Hill Country Vision

Based in San Antonio. Planning a ranch purchase in the Texas Hill Country.

Let's Connect

Open to conversations about engineering, career transitions, or BBQ techniques.