Demo

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Exteriors

Tesla
Fremont, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 4/14/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/8/2026
What To Expect
As a Mechanical Design Engineer of the Exterior Engineering Team, you will be responsible to design, prototype, validate, release, and launch components for current and future vehicle programs.

Exteriors covers a diverse family of components including Front & Rear Fascia Assemblies, Underbody, Underhood and other trim components.

You will be part of the team working on complex exterior vehicle systems in terms of styling, function, and quality. You will utilize your expertise in one or more of these commodities and develop as a vehicle engineer, designing and delivering components and exterior systems.

You will collaborate and work cross functionally with many other Vehicle Engineering teams to develop parts and assemblies from the concept phase to launching.

You will be part of Tesla’s Vehicle Engineering organization reporting to the Manager of Exterior Engineering Team.

What You'll Do

  • Concept engineering and feasibility
  • Packaging and layout within vehicle architecture
  • Design to deliver customer-driven exterior system targets for craftsmanship, function, cost, and weight
  • Participate in the iterative process with the Tesla design/styling studio to deliver the optimal balance of form vs. function vs. cost
  • Detail design including surface development, structures, datum strategy, attachments, GD&T
  • Utilize DFSS methodologies as appropriate during the design, validation and launch of the program
  • Interpret CAE simulation results and integrate recommendations into product design
  • Collaborate with key suppliers for DFM, MoldFlow and tooling design approvals supporting injection trials for part appearance and functional validation
  • Work with plastics engineering to improve designs for optimum layout of plastic assembling and paint lines
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams within the Tesla Vehicle Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering and Procurement groups to ensure system manufacturing, assembly feasibility and serviceability


  • What You'll Bring

  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
  • Catia V5/V6 experience is preferred. Experience and proven expertise using other CAD software are acceptable
  • Strong understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals
  • Basic knowledge of large plastic part design, plastic painting, injection molding and processing
  • Evidence of following the design process from initial concept stages through tooling release and production launch
  • Experience managing suppliers for product development
  • Exposure to a mix of design challenges for variety of materials and processes such as stamping, injection molding, casting, composites
  • Understanding the fundamental differences in design and engineering between low and high-volume production, as well as entry and premium vehicle requirements
  • Experience with DFSS methodologies during the design, validation and launch of automotive programs
  • Familiarity with the development of specifications, DFMEAs, DVP&R’s and other technical documents


  • 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

    $91,600 - $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.

    , Tesla

    Salary : $91,600 - $195,600

    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. Mechanical Design Engineer, Exteriors?

    Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Exteriors career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
    Income Estimation: 
    $91,017 - $111,627
    Income Estimation: 
    $106,299 - $135,354
    Income Estimation: 
    $108,186 - $133,193
    Income Estimation: 
    $85,954 - $106,408
    Income Estimation: 
    $106,299 - $135,354
    Income Estimation: 
    $108,186 - $133,193
    Employees: Get a Salary Increase
    View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

    Job openings at Tesla

    • Tesla Santa, NM
    • What To Expect As a Tesla Advisor, you are at the forefront of our mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. Your role is essenti... more
    • 11 Days Ago

    • Tesla Bernalillo, NM
    • What To Expect As a Tesla Advisor, Delivery, your primary focus is on enhancing operational efficiency to boost store productivity. The Tesla Advisor, Deli... more
    • 11 Days Ago

    • Tesla Farmington, NM
    • What To Expect Tesla is looking for a Utility Field Service Technician to work across the entire Tesla organization to problem solve and ensure the success... more
    • 11 Days Ago

    • Tesla Sparks, NV
    • What To Expect The Workplace Operations Associate is a self-starter and will perform critical tasks required to maintain a functional and efficient office ... more
    • 11 Days Ago


    Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Exteriors jobs in the Fremont, CA area that may be a better fit.

    • Jobs via Dice Fremont, CA
    • Dice is the leading career destination for tech experts at every stage of their careers. Our client, Info Way Solutions, is seeking the following. Apply vi... more
    • 6 Days Ago

    • Tesla Motors, Inc. Fremont, CA
    • What to Expect As a Mechanical Design Engineer of the Exterior Engineering Team, you will be responsible to design, prototype, validate, release, and launc... more
    • 1 Month Ago

    AI Assistant is available now!

    Feel free to start your new journey!