Mechanical Design Engineer, Battery Cell Formation

Mechanical Design Engineer, Battery Cell Formation

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What to Expect: As a Mechanical Design Engineer in Tesla's Battery Cell Formation team, you will be responsible for the mechanical side of battery formation and testing equipment. You will be joining a team that works closely with manufacturing engineers, equipment engineers, and controls engineers. The work is fast‑paced and challenging – Tesla’s mission and vision must excite you.

Cell formation pushes the limits of mechanical engineering. You will need to apply statics & dynamics, fluids & thermodynamics, mechanics & vibration, and more. The work is multi‑disciplinary, and you will also be expected to learn controls methodology, controls hardware and sensor selection, and machine design. Strong design skills, a first‑principles approach to problem solving, and curiosity to learn and develop are must‑haves.

Design engineers will drive prototype builds, engineering testing, and validation of equipment. You will own the equipment design from conception through all phase builds and onto mass‑production SOP and beyond. You will also solve problems that require deep understanding, root‑cause analysis, and practical validation.

• Modeling and design of mechanical components and assemblies including plastics, sheet metal, fasteners, and other components.
• Selection and application of appropriate off‑the‑shelf components including motors, bearings, gears, sensors, pneumatics, cables, fasteners, thermal hardware, etc.
• Mechanical design analysis including thermal, tolerances, structural, vibrations, kinematics, fluids, etc.
• Solve electronics packaging issues such as thermal management, fastening, connector application, busbar design, cable routing, etc.
• Develop engineering test plans for designs.
• Create drawing packages and manufacturing instructions for parts and assemblies.
• Assist in engineering prototype builds and component fabrication.
• Collaborate with other mechanical, systems, electrical, digital control, manufacturing, industrial design, and test engineers to take designs from prototype through mass production.

• 5 or more years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer.
• Experience with Solid Works CAD and PDM software.
• Experience with machine design.
• Strong understanding of drafting standards and the application of GD&T (e.g., ASME Y14.5).
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Proven strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and ability to apply them to equipment design and process development for high‑volume manufacturing.
• Solid base of failure‑mode analysis and problem‑solving skills.
• Working knowledge of mechanics, kinematics, and structure design, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics.
• Experience on student engineering teams and organizations such as BAJA or Formula SAE is a plus.

• 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 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 Plans, 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.
• Backup childcare and parenting support resources.
• Voluntary benefits: 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.

Expected Compensation: $80,000 - $156,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits.