Process Development Engineer, Cathode Materials Manufacturing

Process Development Engineer, Cathode Materials Manufacturing

Tesla’s Cathode team is looking for a highly motivated Process Development Engineer to work on a critical challenge facing the world’s energy transition – Battery Cathode Materials. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to Tesla’s world‑class manufacturing facilities. Tesla is a demanding and fast‑paced environment where you will work on a critical subsystem of an incredibly exciting product.

As a member of the process team, the candidate will develop, implement, and optimize process improvements as well as help develop future processes through the application of first engineering principles. The candidate will also be expected to execute the design of experiments to gather relevant data to inform process parameter tolerances, improve material performance, and reduce production costs.

• Apply engineering fundamentals and a set of process engineering tools to solve technical problems and create novel detailed designs to address the root cause of issues.
• Develop a detailed knowledge of multiple stages of the cathode manufacturing process.
• Interpret electrochemical and material/electrode characterization data and assign result differences to material changes, design changes, assembly flaws, and specific degradation pathways.
• Provide process engineering support to manufacturing teams to help resolve bottlenecks and long‑standing issues.
• Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) to optimize existing processes and guide data‑driven improvements.
• Utilize lab and pilot data to provide recommendations on quality improvements for the cathode production process.

• Degree in Materials Science or a related field, or equivalent experience (advanced degree preferred).
• 2–4+ years of experience with lithium‑ion battery cathode materials from raw material to final product.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including a deep understanding of materials engineering fundamentals and a demonstrated ability to leverage this understanding to solve challenging technical problems.
• Excellent communication and team collaboration skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to team members from different disciplines.
• A positive, “do the impossible” attitude and the ability to communicate with peers and stakeholders at all levels and engineering disciplines.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic startup environment.

• Aetna PPO and HSA plans – 2 medical plan options with $0 payroll deduction.
• Family‑building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both with $0 paycheck contribution.
• Company‑Paid Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna medical plan with HSA.
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).

• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plan and other financial benefits.
• Company‑paid Basic Life, AD&D, short‑term and long‑term disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Sick and vacation time (flex time for salary positions), and paid holidays.
• Back‑up childcare and parenting support resources.
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance.
• Weight loss and tobacco cessation programs.
• Tesla Babies program.
• Commuter benefits.
• Employee discounts and perks program.

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Engineering and Information Technology

Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Utilities

Location:

Austin, TX

Salary Range: $81,490.00–$