Sr. Materials Test Engineer, Failure Analysis

About the role

Sr. Materials Test Engineer, Failure Analysis | Tesla (Engineering & Information Technology)

Location: Fremont, California | Req ID: 272819 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

The purpose of the Tesla Materials Engineering organization is to facilitate the Tesla mission to build a world of sustainable abundance via the identification, development and insertion of advanced materials and processes.

The team is seeking a Materials Test Engineer with an emphasis on materials failure analysis to lead complex, cross-functional materials failure analysis initiatives and deliver actionable feedback to materials, design, and manufacturing engineers to enable Tesla’s product, process, and materials development initiatives.

Moreover, you will lead materials-level testing, prototyping, characterization, and test specification development.

What You'll Do

• Coordinate materials testing and characterization initiatives, with a focus on failure analysis for both materials and components to resolve engineering product failures or drive rapid materials and process development
• Develop and execute test plans to determine the root cause of unexpected failures, or support materials development and establish process-structure-property-performance relationships
• Lead prototyping initiatives which aim to collect early data from samples representative of in development materials or processes
• Lead projects to establish test-to-field correlations and/or test method developments
• Collaborate with a broad spectrum of functions and teams within Tesla to drive risks/concerns to a root cause and resolution
• Collaborate with engineering technicians to support test setup, execution, and reporting
• Oversee the selection and purchase of new laboratory assets, when applicable

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Materials Engineering, Materials Science or equivalent experience
• Experience with common materials test methods, characterization techniques, and associated equipment, including characterization (OM, SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC/TGA/DMA), mechanical (hardness/tensile/bend/impact/scratch and mar), environmental (corrosion, temperature and humidity cycling, UV weathering)
• Experience in sample preparation (metallographic, waterjet, band saw, basic hand tools) and equipment prototyping (VIM, furnaces, rolling mills, twin screw extruders, polymer re-grinders)
• Diverse knowledge of metals, polymers, ceramics, their processing, and their failure modes for a variety of stresses
• Track record of using materials engineering fundamentals (process-structure-properties-performance relationships) to solve problems or influence design or manufacturing decisions
• Strong communication skills with the ability to summarize test results and communicate significance to a non-materials engineering audience
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage large data sets, direct efforts of engineering technicians, and manage multiple projects
• Experience working in a laboratory environment and willingness to promote health and safety across the team

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 - $195,600/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.