Does Tesla Hire Felons?

When it comes to hiring, Tesla, a global leader in electric vehicles and clean energy technology. Also known as Tesla, Inc., it operates under strict safety and compliance standards, but its hiring policies are not publicly locked down by criminal history alone. Unlike government jobs or roles in finance, tech companies like Tesla focus more on what you can do now—not just what you did ten years ago. The real question isn’t whether they can hire someone with a felony record—it’s whether they will, and under what conditions.

Background checks are part of the process, but they’re not automatic disqualifiers. Many tech firms, including Tesla, use criminal background checks, a standard screening tool used by employers to verify past legal issues. Also known as criminal record checks, these help assess risk, but they don’t tell the whole story. What matters more is context: the nature of the offense, how long ago it happened, whether you’ve shown growth, and if your skills match the role. A felony from 15 years ago for a non-violent, non-tech-related crime carries less weight than a recent fraud conviction for someone applying to a financial systems role. And here’s the truth: most engineering, manufacturing, and even software roles at Tesla don’t require access to sensitive data or customer information. That opens doors.

Self-taught coders, bootcamp grads, and people rebuilding their lives after prison have landed jobs at major tech firms—not because they hid their past, but because they showed proof of skill. Look at the posts below: people without degrees got hired because they built real projects. People over 50 started coding and got jobs. That’s the culture here—results over resumes. If you’ve served your time, learned a trade, and can demonstrate competence, your record won’t be the deciding factor. It’s your portfolio, your attitude, and your ability to solve problems that matter.

Companies like Tesla don’t just want workers—they want problem solvers. And many of those problem solvers didn’t come from traditional paths. The system isn’t perfect, but it’s changing. What you do today matters more than what you did yesterday. The posts below will show you exactly how people with complicated pasts have broken into tech, what hiring managers really look for, and how to position yourself so your skills speak louder than your record.