Sr. Equipment Engineer, Tabless

About the role

• Sr. Equipment Engineer, Tabless | Tesla (Manufacturing)
• Location: AUSTIN, Texas | Req ID: 274915 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

We are actively ramping 4680 cell manufacturing and will be doubling production capacity within the next two years. If you’ve ever wanted to leave your fingerprints on a technology that is reshaping the energy landscape, this is that moment.

As an Equipment Engineer at Tesla, you will play a crucial role in developing and enhancing equipment for our advanced battery cell manufacturing processes. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to building a world-class manufacturing facility from the ground up in a fast-paced and demanding environment.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams — including Engineering, Quality, and Process — to take new products from initial design through prototype development to full production. Your work will involve optimizing equipment and processes, ensuring safety, and driving continuous improvements in a critical subsystem of innovative products.

What You'll Do

• Drive quantified OEE, Availability, MTTR, and MTBF improvements through structured continuous improvement projects in a high-volume manufacturing environment
• Apply first-principles mechanical engineering thinking to troubleshoot and solve complex, ambiguous equipment failures hands-on, at the machine level
• Own the full lifecycle of equipment design and re-design projects — from concept and fabrication through installation, validation, and production ramp — including managing bidding, quoting, and vendor relationships
• Design and modify automation, hydraulics, pneumatics, electromechanical systems, and motion controls
• Create SolidWorks (or CATIA) models and tooling drawings to support equipment changes
• Rapidly prototype equipment design improvements using 3D printing, shop fabrication, and iterative bench testing
• Apply poka-yoke and mistake-proofing principles to deliver robust, production-ready solutions at speed
• Develop preventive maintenance procedures, comprehensive spares lists, and detailed operating and repair instructions; train operators and technicians to ensure sustainable, self-sufficient production teams
• Lead initiatives to improve safety and ergonomics of production equipment, ensuring compliance with regulations and best practices
• Integrate equipment with the plant-wide Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and leverage data to monitor performance and prioritize improvement opportunities

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of US-based hands-on work experience as a Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineer with a focus on automation or electromechanical systems
• Minimum 1–2 equipment design or equipment re-design projects with demonstrated ownership
• Minimum 1–2 OEE improvement projects — quantified results required
• Proven experience in ramping equipment into high-volume manufacturing, including automation, hydraulics, pneumatics, electromechanical systems, and motion controls
• Hands-on experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment; strongly preferred backgrounds include
• Proficiency in CAD design tools such as SolidWorks (CATIA is a plus)

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)