Global Supply Manager, Mechanical

What To Expect

Tesla is seeking a world-class Global Supply Manager (GSM) to lead the end-to-end sourcing strategy for advanced thermal dissipation systems that enable the reliable operation of next-generation vehicle computing platforms. These systems are critical for cooling high-power, high-density chips—such as the Full Self-Driving (FSD) computer, AI inference accelerators, and power electronics—under extreme automotive conditions (wide temperature ranges, vibration, humidity, and long-term durability).

You will own the full supply chain lifecycle for thermal solutions including liquid cooling loops, cold plates, thermal interface materials (TIMs), heat spreaders, vapor chambers, and integrated thermal packaging—all engineered to deliver consistent performance, longevity, and safety in real-world driving environments.

This role demands deep technical insight into thermal physics, materials science, and manufacturing scalability, combined with strategic sourcing excellence. You’ll work at the intersection of mechanical engineering, thermal design, and supply chain innovation to ensure Tesla’s computing systems remain cool, reliable, and future-proof.

Lead strategic sourcing for high-performance thermal dissipation systems used in vehicle-mounted computing platforms, including:

• Cold plates and liquid cooling manifolds (with microchannel and conformal designs)
• Thermal interface materials (TIMs): phase-changing materials, gap fillers, thermal greases, and bonded interfaces
• Heat spreaders and vapor chambers (including wick structures, capillary design, and working fluid selection)
• Integrated thermal packaging (e.g., chip-to-enclosure thermal paths, die attach solutions)
• Manufacturing tooling and assembly processes (e.g., precision bonding, leak testing, vacuum filling)

Own the full sourcing lifecycle:

• Drive RFQs, contract negotiations (NDAs, GTCs, piece pricing), and supplier onboarding
• Develop and manage long-term strategic agreements that deliver cost, quality, reliability, and delivery advantages
• Ensure compliance with Tesla’s industrialization standards, thermal performance targets, and safety requirements (e.g., fire resistance, fluid compatibility, long-term stability)

Partner closely with engineering teams to define technical requirements and validate supplier capabilities:

• Collaborate on thermal resistance, thermal cycling performance, pressure drop, and durability under vibration
• Evaluate suppliers based on material consistency, process yield, defect rate, and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
• Support NPI (New Product Introduction) and ramp-to-scale with robust risk mitigation plans (e.g., thermal runaway, fluid leakage, TIM degradation)

Monitor global market dynamics:

• Track advancements in thermal materials (e.g., graphene-based TIMs, high-conductivity composites), cooling architectures, and manufacturing processes
• Identify and act on supply chain risks (e.g., rare material scarcity, limited supplier base, logistics constraints, geopolitical factors)
• Build contingency plans for mission-critical thermal components with zero tolerance for failure

Influence on company level:

• Communicate sourcing strategies, technical trade-offs, and risk exposure clearly across engineering, manufacturing, quality, finance, and legal teams
• Champion Tesla's long-term vision for self-contained, scalable, and sustainable thermal solutions in high-performance computing systems

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement, with a focus on thermal management systems, electronics cooling, or high-reliability mechanial components in automotive or industrial applications
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Thermal Engineering, or equivalent technical background
• Proven experience managing supply chains for complex, high-precision systems involving liquids, seals, and bonded interfaces
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills with experience in cost modeling, TCO analysis, and supplier performance tracking
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external partners
• Experience with Tier 1…