Cells are the common denominator for every Tesla product. In the Abuse Testing & Engineering group, we push battery systems to their limits and beyond using specialized equipment to apply electrical, mechanical, and thermal stresses. Our goal is to provide rapid feedback to inform designs early in development, by understanding how robust systems perform under abusive conditions. We accommodate external regulations but have a strong focus on internal requirements and testing to failure. Every Tesla battery product comes through our lab, both vehicles and energy storage. Our environment is fast-paced and incredibly exciting.

We are looking for an engineer to design test equipment and improve processes to support the growth of the Abuse Test and Engineering R&D test group. Our labs are expanding rapidly to support the fast-paced growth of Tesla battery programs. You would help re-think the lab, to make our test environment high-throughput and semi-automated. The tests involve thermal, electrical, and mechanical abuse of individual battery cells as well as module-level articles. Your goals are both to provide quality data to inform the understanding of battery cell and module design, and to increase the testing throughput and consistency. In addition to improving existing processes, you would develop new test rigs and equipment to study battery safety.

• Refine dedicated workstations for each test. Understand each step of the test (from sample preparation to test execution / data collection and cleanup) and identify issues (eg slowdowns, inconsistency in results). Prioritize and implement solutions to these issues.
• Consider and implement automated approaches to testing such as robotic sample loading, multiplexing, or automated forms of post-test inspection.
• In addition to established tests, modify copies of test rigs for experimental development.
• Create new systems to perform abusive tests on cells and coupons with Tesla product-representative thermal and structural boundary conditions.
• Characterize variation in results from existing test rigs, examples being short circuit, crush, and provoked thermal runaway. Investigate discrepancies in test results as they occur between our in-house tests and supplier test results as well as between different implementations of the same test systems in our lab.
• Write and maintain standard operating procedures for test equipment. Train technicians on new equipment and incorporate user feedback (design for usability, safety, ergonomics).
• Work closely in lab with technicians to fabricate, install, and validate new test equipment as well as repair and debug issues with existing equipment.
• Create engineering drawings and work with internal and external prototype shops to get parts fabricated for new and existing test systems.

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
• 5 years' experience in a lab or workshop setting
• CAD experience required, CATIA preferred
• Solid fundamentals in mechanical, thermal, materials, and electrical engineering
• Knowledge of manufacturing methods for prototyping such as machining, welding, sheet metal forming, 3D printing
• Must be hands-on (assembly, fabrication/modification, instrumentation, wiring)
• Experience with instrumentation / data acquisition, National Instruments preferred
• Experience with Python programming (or similar), MATLAB, SQL, LabVIEW programming a plus
• Comfortable working with technicians
• Dedicated to designing for user and lab safety. Strong sense of safety consciousness in lab and workshop setting. Experience in high voltage, flammable materials, hazardous materials, chemical hazards or related.

Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

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