Demo

Mechanical Design Engineer, New Programs

Tesla
Hawthorne, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 5/28/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 6/26/2026
What To Expect
The New Programs Engineering team works at the front end of the design and development cycle by studying, simulating, building, and proving Tesla’s future vehicle concepts. New Programs Engineers interact with cross-functional partners from the Design, Vehicle Engineering, and Powertrain Engineering groups to develop 3D designs, mules, prototypes, and demonstrators used for informing downstream engineering efforts. This is a product design engineering position where product design expertise and fundamental first principles approach to problem solving are far more important than extensive automotive industry specific experience.

What You'll Do

  • Product Definition – Document product plan of record. Identify risks and key decisions. Gather data, feedback, and customer input to present to design, engineering, and leadership to facilitate key product decisions
  • Own vehicle system level attributes in the first stage of product definition and present tradeoffs to leadership in conjunction with partner teams. Facilitate product decisions with deep dives into customer use cases, market research, cost, mass and any other pertinent data
  • Studio Engineering – Support designers, digital modelers, and clay modelers in defining manufacturing strategies and setting out criteria to output useable 3D surfaces that can be used to mass manufacture a vehicle. Track these geometrical solutions and drive them to feasibility for manufacturing and regulatory compliance
  • Concept Development – Brainstorm and collaborate with engineers, designers, and users in creating new solutions for automotive applications. Develop the designs using CAD and build your designs to prove them out and refine them over time


  • What You'll Bring

  • Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
  • A minimum of 2 years of experience in a product development environment
  • Hands on experience in narrowing product scope and facilitating cross functional decisions on complex products
  • Familiarity with world automotive regulations, consumer ratings, and major load cases that guide road vehicle product constraints
  • Demonstrated proficiency with Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Understanding and proficiency of Geometrical Dimensioning and Tolerancing
  • Capability to use 3D CAD software and an understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals
  • Effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workloads, and meet tight delivery timelines. Create schedules and report to leadership how the early design decisions track to critical program level milestones


  • 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

    $87,020 - $222,300/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

    Salary : $87,020 - $222,300

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