Malaysian student becomes robotics engineer at Tesla


Being able to bag your dream job is an achievement many look to accomplish. A few days ago, a Malaysian student named Fakhirah Khairuddin went viral on social media for landing a job as a robotics engineer at Tesla. Following the incident, TEDx Speaker Richard Ker has come forward to highlight Fakhirah’s extensive technical experience which made it possible for her to get the role.


From former MRSM student to working as an engineer at Tesla in the US


Fakhirah with her parents
Image credit: Dr. Zulkifli Hussain

The story of Fakhirah started trending on social media on 6th August 2021 when it was posted by a Malaysian counsellor named Dr Zulkifli Hussain on his Facebook page. Fakhirah, who now works for Tesla as a robotics engineer, was a MARA Junior Science College (MRSM) student.

After graduation, she was sponsored by MARA to study aerospace engineering at the University of California in San Diego and subsequently, a masters degree in mechanical engineering which paved the way for a lot of hands-on experience that secured her the job.

Fakhirah is now being praised by Malaysians for her hard work that landed her a job at Tesla, a leading company in the US that many engineering students want to work for. TEDx Speaker Richard Ker is among those who praised Fakhirah, and he went on further to explain how and why she landed the role.


TEDx Speaker Richard Ker praises Malaysian woman for landing a job at Tesla


Malaysian student at Tesla
Image credit: Dr. Zulkifli Hussain

On a Facebook update posted on 8th August 2021, Ker highlighted Fakhirah’s several noteworthy achievements that secured her the job at Tesla. These include working as a propulsion development engineer at the University of California, winning first place in the Northrop Grumman System Engineering Challenge 2019 against 50 other teams, and leading the research and development of a Hexacopter Project with the University of California.

Besides, she has also designed a quadcopter, sensor casing and landing gear on Solidworks, a designing software, demonstrating new concepts through 3D print testing and improved the designs through iterations. Ker added that Fakhirah has more achievements and experience in engineering which contributes to her success.

Fakhirah currently works as a Technical Training Robotics Engineering instructor at Tesla in Fremont, California where she teaches robotics to other engineers and technicians.


Malaysian woman working as a robotics engineer at Tesla


It is truly a moment of pride to see a Malaysian student land a job as a robotics engineer at one of the world’s leading car companies. We wish Fakhirah Khairuddin all the best with her job and continued success to make Malaysians even prouder.

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Cover image adapted from: Dr Zulkifli Hussain and Dr Zulkifli Hussain

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