Manufacturing Engineer, Tabless

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to plan, organize, and drive the design, development, commissioning, and continuous improvement of complex, custom manufacturing equipment for our Tabless cell program, based out of our Pilot Plant in Fremont, California. You will own equipment lifecycle management, from design and ramp through sustained production, ensuring lines operate safely, efficiently, and at the highest quality standards.

The pilot battery line is where new cell designs and processes are proven before they scale. You will work in a fast-paced, first-of-its-kind manufacturing environment, designing and iterating on mechanical equipment for processes such as winding (web handling) and laser welding, and building the equipment know-how that carries into our high-volume lines at Gigafactory Texas.

You will work closely with Product Design, Process Engineering, Controls, Quality, Maintenance, and Production teams, as well as external equipment suppliers, to take new equipment from initial concept through prototype, buyoff, and full production.

What You’ll Do

• Drive design, development, and commissioning ramp of complex, custom manufacturing equipment that is the first of its kind at Tesla, including Tabless winding (web handling), laser welding, and related cell assembly processes on the Fremont pilot line
• Design equipment fixtures, process kits, and tooling to add functionality and improve productivity, iterating quickly as Tabless cell designs and processes evolve
• Own CAD for equipment fixtures and process kits, including drafting and reverse-engineering existing parts into controlled SolidWorks drawings, with full revision lifecycle management in SolidWorks PDM Professional
• Become the owner and subject matter expert for assigned equipment, leading detailed troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and process improvement initiatives
• Troubleshoot and recover automated processes via PLC, HMI, or tool management software, and debug and optimize them to maximize cycle time and uptime
• Develop and manage DFMEA/PFMEA risk assessments to prioritize equipment improvement projects and ensure robust repair strategies
• Lead safety and ergonomic improvements to production equipment that meet or exceed applicable regulations and best practices
• Lead participation in supplier and internal equipment buyoffs, ensuring equipment readiness before production deployment
• Identify critical spare parts and ensure sufficient coverage, and provide hands-on support to the maintenance team to resolve extended downtime
• Build and maintain training materials, maintenance routines, and documentation for the full equipment lifecycle, and capture pilot-line learnings to support transfer of designs to high-volume production at Gigafactory

What You’ll Bring

• Degree with 6+ years of relevant experience, or MS with 3+ years, in mechanical, manufacturing, interdisciplinary/integrated engineering, or equivalent
• 3D CAD design experience (SolidWorks preferred) in equipment and fixture design, including layout creation and validation, tooling drawings, and pneumatic and electrical schematics
• Demonstrated experience ramping equipment into manufacturing, including automation equipment, web handling, design of electromechanical systems, PLCs, motion control, and data capture
• Demonstrated experience solving complex electromechanical and software issues with limited documentation to debug problems, build process know-how, and kick off improvement projects
• Structured thinking and problem-solving abilities, proven through root cause analysis (RCCA, fishbone, etc.) using a data-driven approach; statistical software (JMP) a plus
• Strong engineering foundations and aptitude to learn
• Experience with robot programming, backup, and restoration a plus
• Experience with laser welding, winding, or battery cell manufacturing a plus
• Experience in automotive or high-volume manufacturing highly desired
• Excellent spoken and written English

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.