Demo

Sr. Cell Abuse Test Engineer

Tesla Motors, Inc.
Palo Alto, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 11/20/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/19/2026
What to Expect

We are looking for an Engineer to perform battery cell abuse testing across all programs, including vehicle and energy storage. In this role, you would be responsible for a variety of tests spanning electrical, thermal, and mechanical abuse. You would own the testing end-to-end: planning, execution, and results interpretation.


What You'll Do
  • Collaborate with internal Tesla teams and cell suppliers to develop cell designs (particularly mechanical) and plan builds
  • Determine test plans for each new phase of a program, as a function of expected risks and schedule
  • Work with Technician staff to schedule tests and set priorities
  • Participate in as much testing as time allows, in order to understand the test rigs and the cell behaviors, and become grounded in lab operations
  • Look for opportunities to improve throughput and data quality. Collaborate with Test Systems Engineer to realize improvements to fixtures or test software
  • Serve as first point of contact for test rig troubleshooting
  • Process raw results into meaningful conclusions. Share reports with internal technical teams, external suppliers, and occasionally to executives
  • Maintain standard operating procedures for test equipment
  • Study variation in results (examples being short circuit, crush, and provoked thermal runaway). Propose and execute plans to reduce / understand variation
  • Travel up to 25%

What You'll Bring
  • Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineering or equivalent experience; preferred experience with heat transfer and electrical fundamentals
  • 2 years' experience in physically-applied engineering (lab, machine shop, hobby project)
  • Must be hands-on (assembly, fabrication/modification, instrumentation, wiring, electrical troubleshooting)
  • Enjoys working in cross-functional groups and leading/working alongside Technicians
  • Statistical background a plus
  • CAD experience a plus
  • Programming experience in Matlab strongly preferred. Labview a plus
  • Experience with instrumentation / data acquisition, National Instruments preferred
  • Able to plan/schedule many concurrent activities in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment

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:

  • 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 have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
  • Company Paid (Health Savings Account) 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
  • 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
    $80,000 - $174,000/annual salary cash and stock awards benefits

    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 : $80,000 - $174,000

    If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
    Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

    What is the career path for a Sr. Cell Abuse Test Engineer?

    Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Sr. Cell Abuse Test Engineer career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
    Income Estimation: 
    $159,276 - $189,136
    Income Estimation: 
    $106,451 - $133,778
    Income Estimation: 
    $73,784 - $86,677
    Income Estimation: 
    $90,372 - $103,622
    Income Estimation: 
    $61,825 - $80,560
    Income Estimation: 
    $90,032 - $105,965
    Income Estimation: 
    $85,996 - $102,718
    Income Estimation: 
    $85,996 - $102,718
    Income Estimation: 
    $111,859 - $131,446
    Income Estimation: 
    $110,457 - $133,106
    Income Estimation: 
    $105,809 - $128,724
    Income Estimation: 
    $122,763 - $145,698
    Income Estimation: 
    $105,809 - $128,724
    Income Estimation: 
    $136,611 - $163,397
    Income Estimation: 
    $135,163 - $163,519
    Income Estimation: 
    $131,953 - $159,624
    Income Estimation: 
    $150,859 - $181,127
    Income Estimation: 
    $131,953 - $159,624
    Income Estimation: 
    $169,825 - $204,021
    Income Estimation: 
    $166,631 - $195,636
    Income Estimation: 
    $162,237 - $199,353
    Income Estimation: 
    $181,083 - $218,117
    View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

    Job openings at Tesla Motors, Inc.

    • Tesla Motors, Inc. South Burlington, VT
    • What to Expect As a Tesla Technician, you become a vital part of our global team, working towards our mission of accelerating the world's transition to sus... more
    • 13 Days Ago

    • Tesla Motors, Inc. South Burlington, VT
    • What to Expect Tesla is looking for a ServiceAssistantto work on one of the most progressive vehicles in the world. We are seeking professional customer se... more
    • 13 Days Ago

    • Tesla Motors, Inc. South Burlington, VT
    • What to Expect As a Delivery Vehicle Prep Specialist at Tesla, you will play a crucial role in ensuring a seamless and exceptional customer delivery experi... more
    • 13 Days Ago

    • Tesla Motors, Inc. Sparks, NV
    • What to Expect As Tesla continues to vertically integrate our operations' we're looking for a highly motivated Facilities Mechanical Engineer to work on a ... more
    • 13 Days Ago


    Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Sr. Cell Abuse Test Engineer jobs in the Palo Alto, CA area that may be a better fit.

    • Tesla Motors, Inc. Fremont, CA
    • What to Expect In the Abuse Testing & Engineering group, we push energy storage and power electronics to their limits and beyond using specialized equipmen... more
    • 18 Days Ago

    • Tesla Motors, Inc. Palo Alto, CA
    • What to Expect We are seeking a highly motivated engineer to lead the evaluation and testing of battery propagation resistance across vehicle and energy st... more
    • 1 Month Ago

    AI Assistant is available now!

    Feel free to start your new journey!