Sr. Materials Engineer, TEM, Terafab

What to Expect

Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI are partnering to launch the most epic chip-building effort ever - combining logic, memory, and advanced packaging under one roof. Terafab will close the gap between today's chip production and the future's demand - a future among the stars.

The team is seeking a Sr. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Specialist to lead advanced transmission electron microscopy characterization of semiconductor and thin-film materials. You will be the in-house expert for high-resolution TEM, STEM, and analytical electron microscopy techniques, providing critical microstructural and compositional insights that guide materials development and failure analysis. This role combines deep expertise in electron microscopy with a practical understanding of semiconductor materials and thin-film systems.

• Operate advanced TEM/STEM instruments, including aberration-corrected and analytical (EELS, EDS) microscopes
• Prepare high-quality TEM specimens using focused ion beam (FIB), mechanical polishing, and ion milling techniques
• Perform high-resolution imaging, electron diffraction, and spectroscopic analysis to characterize crystal structure, defects, interfaces, and compositional gradients in thin-film stacks
• Develop and optimize TEM sample preparation and imaging protocols for new material systems
• Collaborate with materials engineers and process engineers to provide rapid-turnaround microstructural analysis for development and failure investigations

• Degree in Materials Science, Physics, or a related field with a focus on electron microscopy, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience operating TEM/STEM instruments in a research or industrial setting
• Expertise in FIB-based TEM sample preparation for multilayer thin-film structures
• Proficiency in HRTEM, HAADF-STEM, EELS, and EDS for compositional and structural analysis
• Experience characterizing semiconductor materials, dielectrics, or functional thin films
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret complex diffraction patterns and spectroscopic data
• Experience with in‑situ TEM techniques (heating, biasing, environmental) or 4D‑STEM/ptychography is preferred
• Experience with automated TEM data acquisition and image analysis software is a plus

Along with competitive pay, as a full‑time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family‑building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High‑Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
• Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly 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