Lead Equipment Design Engineer, Cell Engineering

About the role

Lead Equipment Design Engineer, Cell Engineering | Tesla (Manufacturing)

Location: Fremont, California | Req ID: 266483 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Tesla’s In-House Cell Group is looking for a high-octane Mechanical Engineer to architect the next generation of automated manufacturing equipment. Unlike traditional long-cycle automation, this role sits within our Agile Projects team. You will focus on rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept (PoC) systems, shortening the feedback loop between design and mass production.

We are looking for a "Swiss Army Knife" engineer—someone who can pivot from complex FEA simulations to hands-on debugging, while collaborating across disciplines to solve the hardest problems in battery manufacturing. If you are driven by vertical integration and have a healthy appetite for exploring ideas that might fail on the way to a breakthrough, this is your team.

What You'll Do

• Architect & Design: Develop sophisticated automated test equipment and PoC systems; create high-fidelity CAD models and pneumatic schemes
• Validate through Simulation: Use structural/thermal FEA and CFD to verify designs before they hit the shop floor
• Balance Constraints: Lead conceptual development by weighing product specs against process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and aggressive lead times
• Optimize & Iterate: Identify bottlenecks in existing processes; propose and implement innovative hardware solutions to improve system robustness and ease of assembly
• Hands-on Deployment: Lead the building, debugging, and fine-tuning of equipment. Drive equipment duplication and support the transition to the production floor
• Quality Assurance: Execute detailed testing protocols, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), to ensure "Tesla-standard" quality

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent experience
• Experience: 6+ years in machine design, robotics, or high-speed automation
• Prototype to Production: A proven track record of scaling technologies from lab-scale "science projects" to robust manufacturing assets
• Technical Mastery: Strong foundation in solid mechanics, dynamics, material selection, and fabrication (machining, welding, 3D printing)
• Tools: Expert-level proficiency in SolidWorks/PDM and Ansys (or similar CAE tools)
• Multidisciplinary Exposure: Familiarity with sensors, microcontrollers, and basic electrical/control logic (relays, I/O)
• Soft Skills: Exceptional collaborative ability; must be able to influence and work alongside Chemical, Electrical, and Software engineers
• Mobility: Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to support vendor sites and Gigafactories
• Specialized Optics: Experience in laser processing or optical equipment design
• Advanced Robotics: Experience with robot programming (Fanuc, Kuka, etc.) or PLC integration

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$91,600 - $164,400/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.