Lead Equipment Design Engineer, Cell Engineering

What to Expect

Tesla's In-House Cell Group is looking for a high-octane Mechanical Engineer to architect the next generation of automated manufacturing equipment. Unlike traditional long-cycle automation, this role sits within our Agile Projects team. You will focus on rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept (PoC) systems, shortening the feedback loop between design and mass production. We are looking for a "Swiss Army Knife" engineer-someone who can pivot from complex FEA simulations to hands-on debugging, while collaborating across disciplines to solve the hardest problems in battery manufacturing.

If you are driven by vertical integration and have a healthy appetite for exploring ideas that might fail on the way to a breakthrough, this is your team.

What You'll Do

* Architect & Design:
Develop sophisticated automated test equipment and PoC systems; create high-fidelity CAD models and pneumatic schemes

* Validate through Simulation:
Use structural/thermal FEA and CFD to verify designs before they hit the shop floor

* Balance Constraints:
Lead conceptual development by weighing product specs against process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and aggressive lead times

* Optimize & Iterate:
Identify bottlenecks in existing processes; propose and implement innovative hardware solutions to improve system robustness and ease of assembly

* Hands-on Deployment:
Lead the building, debugging, and fine-tuning of equipment. Drive equipment duplication and support the transition to the production floor

* Quality Assurance:
Execute detailed testing protocols, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), to ensure "Tesla-standard" quality

What You'll Bring

* Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent experience

* Experience:

6+ years in machine design, robotics, or high-speed automation

* Prototype to Production: A proven track record of scaling technologies from lab-scale "science projects" to robust manufacturing assets

* Technical Mastery:
Strong foundation in solid mechanics, dynamics, material selection, and fabrication (machining, welding, 3D printing)

* Tools:
Expert-level proficiency in Solid Works/PDM and Ansys (or similar CAE tools)

* Multidisciplinary Exposure:
Familiarity with sensors, microcontrollers, and basic electrical/control logic (relays, I/O)

* Soft Skills:

Exceptional collaborative ability; must be able to influence and work alongside Chemical, Electrical, and Software engineers

* Mobility:
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to support vendor sites and Gigafactories

* Specialized Optics:
Experience in laser processing or optical equipment design

* Advanced Robotics:

Experience with robot programming (Fanuc, Kuka, etc.) or PLC integration

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

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

Expected Compensation

$91,600 - $164,400/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and…