Gear Manufacturing Engineer, Drive Systems Gear Lab

What To Expect
Tesla’s Drive Systems Engineering group is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Gear Manufacturing Engineer to join the team and contribute to our mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. This is an opportunity to be an integral part of a specialized team within Tesla’s Drive Systems research efforts to produce the world’s best electric propulsion systems. 

As the technical lead of the Gear Lab you will plan and oversee execution of the full gear manufacturing process from raw forging to finished product – spanning grinding, hobbing, broaching, skiving, turning and hard turning, 5-axis milling, heat treatment, and metrology. Achieving our ambitious goals requires you to be passionate, collaborative, detail-oriented, and tenacious in the application of manufacturing knowledge to deliver precision components to exacting specifications.  You will develop new in-house capabilities, mentor machinists and junior engineers, and serve as Tesla’s go-to technical expert for gear manufacturing.

This is a highly hands-on role at the intersection of manufacturing engineering and precision machining. This position will be stationed within Tesla’s greater Prototype Machine Shop which serves engineering initiatives across the entire organization, including pre-production vehicles, energy systems, artificial intelligence, and other future-shaping products.  Our world-class team is excited to work with you to grow that impact!

What You'll Do

Own end-to-end planning and execution of prototype gear and geartrain component manufacturing, from forging to finished part, including process planning, process drawings, work holding, tooling, and inspection

Program, set up, and operate the Gear Lab’s core gear grinder (generating and profile grinding). Oversee technicians and machinists operating CNC mill-turn machines, vacuum heat treat furnace, metallurgical prep and inspection, and gear/spline metrology (CMM/GMM)

Develop and prove new in-house manufacturing capabilities and technologies to stay at the forefront of the industry

Optimize processes to ensure tight tolerances in a wide range of materials under aggressive prototype deadlines

Partner with design engineers to provide design-for-manufacturability (DFM) feedback on schedule-critical prototypes

Coordinate with project management to resolve conflicting priorities and ensure efficient use of resources

Identify, source, and develop tooling, workholding, and peripheral equipment. Manage supplier relationships for machines, tooling, and consumables

Serve as the team’s technical lead and mentor – provide daily guidance to machinists and junior engineers, set technical direction, instill a culture of quality and meticulous planning, and run cross-functional alignment meetings with DSE and partner teams

Improve gear quality and develop technology across Tesla’s supply base – troubleshoot supplier processes and leverage Gear Lab capabilities to drive consistency and quality

Maintain shop equipment, a clean and organized workspace, and perform all assignments in accordance with EH&S and security policies

What You'll Bring

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience

3 years of machine shop or manufacturing engineering experience, including 1 years of gear manufacturing experience. Experience with CAD/CAM, mill-turn, and EDM a bonus

Demonstrated ability to lead, plan and execute part manufacturing from raw material to finished, inspected part, including process design, tooling, and work holding with minimal supervision

Hands-on proficiency programming, setting up, and operating multiple gear manufacturing processes (grinding, hobbing, shaping, skiving, broaching, turning/hard turning, milling)

Ability to read and interpret gear manufacturing drawings, data tables, and inspection reports

Thorough knowledge of engineering drawings, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), and gear and spline metrology

Proficient with basic shop tools and machines (manual mill, engine lathe, drill press, bandsaw, belt sanders, hand tools, etc.) and measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, gauge pins, bore gauges, optical comparator)

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause skills, with excellent attention to detail and mechanical aptitude

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with ability to develop and present technical information and mentor others in a dynamic and fast paced environment

Benefits
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

Expected Compensation

$109,600 - $195,600/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.

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