Cell Test Engineer, Cell Qualification

Cell Test Engineer, Cell Qualification | Tesla

Location: San Diego, California | Req ID: 285310 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a Cell Test Engineer for the Cell Engineering team to be part of a world-class team responsible for evaluating prismatic cell performance during early development across vehicle and energy storage programs. As a Cell Test Engineer, you own test methods, data quality, and execution so Cell Engineering can evaluate design options quickly and with high confidence.

This includes turning test intent into robust plans, fixtures, and workflows; executing electrical, mechanical, and thermal testing; analyzing results; and closing the loop with design teams. Cell Test Engineers use test data to validate design changes, improve lab capability, and protect execution quality in a fast-paced development environment.

What You'll Do

• Design and execute electrical, mechanical, and thermal characterization and performance tests to quantify cell behavior, safety margins, and design tradeoffs
• Translate engineering requirements into test plans covering sample size, conditions, instrumentation, pass/fail criteria, and data deliverables
• Own test execution quality, including scheduling, logistics, fixturing, setup, and data integrity from start of test through report-out
• Analyze test data, identify trends and anomalies, and provide clear recommendations to Cell Engineers
• Improve test capability and throughput through method development, fixture design, equipment selection, automation, and process changes
• Partner with technicians and engineers to keep execution on SLA without sacrificing data quality
• Lead troubleshooting of test equipment, fixtures, and anomalous results, and drive root-cause and corrective action
• Support process and equipment validation, calibration strategy, and lab readiness
• Uphold Tesla safety standards and escalate risks, equipment issues, or data-quality concerns promptly

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Materials Science, related engineering field, or equivalent in experience
• Experience in a test, validation, or product engineering role, preferably batteries, electronics, or similar hardware
• Working knowledge of cell electrical fundamentals (voltage, current, capacity, impedance) and hands-on use of cyclers, DAQ, multimeters, and environmental chambers
• Ability to write structured test plans and turn raw data into conclusions using Excel and/or Python, MATLAB, or similar
• Hands-on fixture, instrumentation, or equipment troubleshooting experience
• High awareness of electrical, chemical, and thermal safety hazards and lab best practices
• Direct experience with lithium-ion cell testing is highly desired
• Experience with Neware, Arbin, BioLogic, or similar cyclers is a plus
• Fixture design (CAD), scripting/automation, or DOE / statistical analysis is a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication, ownership as a self-starter, and proven collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams

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
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)

Expected Compensation$87,020 - $156,180/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefitsPay 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.