From Stevens to Tesla: Pranay Saha’s Journey Into Battery Innovation

Upon graduating from Stevens Institute of Technology in May 2025 with a master’s degree in computer engineering via the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Pranay Saha headed straight into one of the most high-profile engineering environments in the world: Tesla.

Saha joined Tesla in June as a battery firmware validation engineer in Palo Alto, California.

"My responsibilities involve validating battery firmware, ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards, and contributing to Tesla’s battery management and energy storage systems," he said.

Building a Foundation in Embedded Systems

Before enrolling at Stevens, Saha worked as a Senior Embedded Systems Engineer at Vecmocon Technologies, where he worked extensively on battery-management systems (BMS) for electric vehicles. His role included developing firmware, implementing safety protocols and optimizing battery performance for electric mobility applications.

At Stevens, Saha built on that foundation through rigorous coursework and hands-on research.

"My coursework at Stevens, particularly Digital and Computer Systems Architecture, Applied Data Structures and Algorithms, Engineering Programming (C++), and Real-Time & Embedded Systems, has provided me with a strong technical foundation," he said. "The hands-on experience I gained in embedded systems, firmware development and system modeling has directly prepared me for the challenges I will face."

He also participated in the Embedded Summer Program under Teaching Assistant Professor Md Abu Sayeed, further honing his skills in real-time systems and embedded firmware. Saha earned second place in the university’s 3-Minute Thesis competition and published a research paper titled "SleepSentry: A Novel Sleep Apnea Detection System in the Internet of Things" at the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Consumer Electronics (ICCE).

Looking Ahead

Saha joined Tesla in June as a battery firmware validation engineer in Palo Alto, California.

Working for the most prominent electrical vehicle manufacturer in the world in Tesla scratches a longtime itch in sustainable energy solutions for Saha.

"I have been deeply interested in electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions for several years," he said. "My prior experience working on battery management systems fueled my passion for energy storage technologies."

However, Saha’s ultimate ambitions extend beyond his first role.

"My goal is to deepen my technical knowledge, collaborate with industry experts and enhance my problem-solving skills in battery management systems, power electronics and embedded firmware development," he added. "Additionally, I hope to develop leadership skills and gain hands-on experience in large-scale product development and validation processes that will shape my long-term career in the field of energy storage, semiconductor innovation and embedded systems."

Electric vehicles are playing a transformative role in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Tesla, in particular, has been a driving force in accelerating the transition to sustainable energy through innovations in battery technology, energy storage and electric mobility. For Saha, the opportunity to contribute to this mission is both professionally and personally meaningful. He remains focused on the engineering challenges ahead and the potential to make a lasting impact through clean technology and sustainable transportation.

"My focus is on the engineering challenges and technological innovations Tesla is tackling," he said. "I am excited to contribute to cutting-edge battery technologies and work alongside some of the best engineers in the field."