Lead Mechanical Design Engineer, Cell Manufacturing, Factory Programs

About the role

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer, Cell Manufacturing, Factory Programs | Tesla (Manufacturing)

Location: AUSTIN, Texas | Req ID: 261789 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Tesla’s Cell Engineering Factory Programs team is seeking an experienced Staff Mechanical Engineer to serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for our 4680 cell manufacturing factories. This is a key technical leadership role at the core of our global capacity expansion, where you’ll define and own the mechanical infrastructure that enables high-volume, high-reliability battery production at scale.

You will be the primary subject matter expert for factory mechanical systems, covering dry and wet mechanical systems, HVAC, utility distribution, and environmental control, ensuring seamless integration between manufacturing equipment and central factory systems. Your work will directly impact facility performance, uptime, and scalability, making you a critical enabler of our manufacturing roadmap.

As the in-house authority on mechanical system design, you’ll bridge engineering, construction, and operations, translating product and process requirements into robust, efficient, and code-compliant infrastructure. You’ll lead the design, validation, and implementation of mechanical systems across new and existing facilities, ensuring alignment with Tesla’s engineering standards, safety protocols, and long-term operational goals.

What You'll Do

• Lead the development of mechanical system concepts, utility layouts, load requirements, and system specifications during early-stage feasibility and conceptual design phases
• Define and document all mechanical interfaces between cell manufacturing equipment and central factory systems, integrating them into the cell MFG Factory REVIT model
• Review and approve detailed mechanical design documents, including airflow diagrams, P&ID’s, schematics, and system layouts
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses to evaluate centralized vs. localized utility solutions (e.g., process cooling water, dust collection, HVAC)
• Apply first principles to size, optimize, and verify critical components: ducting, piping, chillers, cooling towers, boilers, fans, air handling units, pumps, and heat exchangers
• Collaborate with local factory engineering teams and regulatory authorities to ensure designs meet regional codes, standards, and permitting requirements
• Partner with internal and external Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) teams throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring design integrity, technical alignment
• Serve as the on-site technical lead during construction and commissioning, resolving critical issues in real time and ensuring system performance meets design intent
• Develop and maintain internal standards, specifications, and best practices for mechanical utility systems based on lessons learned and continuous improvement

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience with proven technical leadership
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in large-scale facility mechanical systems design, preferably in high-precision manufacturing environments such as cell production or semiconductors
• Proven experience in cleanroom / dryroom design, including environmental control, particle management, and pressure differentials
• Expertise in 3D modeling using Revit, with strong proficiency in AutoCAD 2D
• Experience with pipe flow and system modeling tools preferred (e.g., AFT Pipeflow, Aspen HYSYS, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical projects through full lifecycle, from concept to commissioning, with strong organizational and documentation skills
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, able to influence cross-functional teams, explain technical concepts clearly, and resolve conflicts constructively
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to engineering excellence and continuous improvement

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)