What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Program Manager, Cell Prototype Engineering position at Tesla Motors, Inc.?
Tesla's Cell Engineering team at San Diego is looking for a highly motivated Technical Program Manager to manage the development of cutting-edge technologies that will redefine the industry. Be the heartbeat of collaboration, ensuring teams are hyper-focused, motivated, and hitting milestones with precision.
This role requires a strong understanding of program and project management with a passion for launching new technologies. This individual will work with cross-functional teams, such as design, manufacturing, materials, and electrode. Knowledge of lithium ion batteries and materials is a plus.
What You'll Do
- Lead the strategic orchestration of new cell technology initiatives, aligning them with Tesla's bold roadmap and program goals
- Master the art of timing-create, maintain, and communicate project schedules, tracking critical milestones, handoffs, and deadlines with precision
- Drive microschedule mastery for DOEs, equipment, and process documentation, turning complexity into clarity
- Bridge the gap between sites and teams, collaborating with engineering teams and cross-functional TPMs to unlock breakthroughs
- Command the room-lead high-impact meetings, articulating critical paths, risks, and solutions with clarity and confidence
- Spark collaboration-facilitate high-energy conversations within technical teams, turning ideas into action
- Be the project's radar-track risks, report status, and escalate blockers with urgency, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks
- Build bridges-develop seamless communication channels with stakeholders, keeping everyone aligned and informed
- Empower the team-identify priorities, rally the groups, and fuel their drive to deliver excellence, one milestone at a time
What You'll Bring
- Degree or Equivalent Experience in Material Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field-with exposure to electrochemistry or PMP certification
- 2 years of program or project management in hardware development, with a track record of delivering under pressure and driving innovation
- Understanding of lithium-ion battery design, materials, and development
- Master of clarity-articulate ideas with precision, whether in a meeting, a report, or a high-stakes discussions
- Thrives under pressure, pivots with ease, and turns chaos into clarity when priorities shift
- Cross-functional warrior-lead large teams, break down silos, and inspire action across departments
- Ready to travel-up to 20% of the time-to Tesla sites or vendor locations, because great work happens everywhere
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 : $91,960 - $159,600