Hydrogeologist, Lithium Refining

About the role

• Hydrogeologist, Lithium Refining | Tesla (Manufacturing)
• Location: Robstown, Texas | Req ID: 276717 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

Tesla's mission depends on securing the critical minerals and resources needed to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. We are looking for a Hydrogeologist to join a multidisciplinary team supporting mineral resource evaluation, refinery operations, and regulatory compliance across our energy, mineral, and industrial assets.

In this role, you will investigate subsurface water resources — from lithium-bearing brines to process water supply and wastewater injection — helping Tesla unlock new sources of critical materials, secure reliable water for operations, and stay ahead of regulatory requirements.

What You'll Do

• Evaluate mineral rights holdings for lithium-bearing brines and underground waters, reviewing well logs, production data, geochemical assays, and geophysical data to characterize brine chemistry and aquifer/reservoir properties
• Design and oversee exploration and production testing, including drilling, core sampling, pumping tests, fluid sampling, and density-affected flow and transport modeling
• Build 3D geologic and numerical groundwater models to estimate lithium resources and reserves in line with industry reporting standards (e.g., NI 43-101, JORC)
• Assess mineral, water, and produced-water rights ownership nuances, and support lease reviews and correlative rights analyses
• Evaluate lithium extraction feasibility, including Direct Lithium Extraction, and assess hydrogeological impacts on surrounding systems
• Characterize aquifers and site, design, and test process water supply wells for refinery operations, including capture zone modeling and long-term sustainable yield analysis
• Characterize deep injection zones for wastewater disposal wells, evaluating injectivity, capacity, geochemical compatibility, and seismic risk while protecting Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDWs)
• Design well construction, casing, and cementing programs, and develop monitoring plans for water supply and injection wells
• Compile technical exhibits and support permit applications for water wells, water rights, mineral leases, and Class I/II UIC permits, engaging directly with regulators (EPA, state agencies, water boards) to drive approvals and ongoing compliance
• Partner cross-functionally with reservoir engineers, geologists, environmental and legal teams, operations, and finance/strategy to support asset valuation and development decisions

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's or Equivalent Experience in Hydrogeology, Geology, or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Professional Geologist (P.G.) license preferred
• Experience characterizing brine systems and estimating subsurface resources; lithium experience strongly preferred
• Hands-on experience with well testing, well design, and numerical groundwater modeling (e.g., MODFLOW with density/solute transport)
• Working knowledge of geochemistry as applied to brine and produced water systems
• Familiarity with Safe Drinking Water Act UIC regulations, water rights, and mineral law as applied to brine resources
• Experience supporting permitting processes for energy or industrial projects
• Strong field supervision, data management, and technical writing skills
• Excellent communication skills, with experience engaging regulators and cross-functional stakeholders
• Proficiency with GIS, groundwater modeling software, and well log interpretation tools

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)