What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Equipment Design Engineer, Cell Engineering position at Tesla Motors, Inc.?
Tesla's In-House Cell Group is looking for a high-octane Mechanical Engineer toarchitectthe 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 proventrack recordof scaling technologies from lab-scale "science projects" to robust manufacturing assets
Technical Mastery:Strong foundationin solid mechanics, dynamics, materialselection, and fabrication (machining, welding, 3D printing)
Tools: Expert-levelproficiencyin SolidWorks/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
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
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
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.
Salary : $91,600 - $164,400