Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Novel Mechanisms, New Programs

About the role

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Novel Mechanisms, New Programs | Tesla (Engineering & Information Technology)

Location: Hawthorne, California | Req ID: 269046 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

The New Programs Engineering team works at the front end of vehicle design and development, operating in an iterative environment to study, simulate, build, and prove Tesla's future vehicle design concepts. This position will own a first-of-kind vehicle system from early concept through validation and into mass production.

You will frequently interact with Design and Vehicle Engineering teams, most closely with Exteriors, Body-in-White, Chassis, and Electrical Systems. This is a hands-on mechanical design engineering role where product design expertise, a first-principles approach to problem solving, and the ability to navigate ambiguity on novel systems are essential.

We are looking for an engineer who thrives on bringing clean-sheet concepts to life and can drive technical decisions independently. Experience with deployable mechanisms, dynamic sealing, tribology, and high-performance or motorsport applications is highly valued.

What You'll Do

• Own the full lifecycle of a complex, deployment-capable mechanism system—from initial architecture through prototyping, DV/PV, and production launch
• Drive system-level trade studies balancing mass, cost, durability, and performance under demanding operational conditions
• Develop and validate solutions for dynamic sealing and contact interfaces operating in harsh, high-load environments with a focus on wear resistance and material compatibility
• Lead cross-functional alignment with Design Studio, Manufacturing Engineering, and Vehicle Integration to resolve feasibility and packaging constraints
• Build and maintain kinematic and structural simulation workflows and correlate with physical test data
• Author and own component specifications, system DVP&Rs, and DFMEAs while ensuring compliance with all relevant market regulations
• Support prototype fabrication, off-site testing, and vehicle build events through production launch

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of relevant mechanical design experience with a track record of taking systems from concept to production
• Strong background in tribology, wear analysis, and material selection for demanding contact applications, including experience with seals, wipers, sliding interfaces, or similar moving-contact mechanisms
• Proficiency in CAD (parametric/knowledge-based) and FEA at part and system level, with ability to interpret CAE/CFD results and translate into robust design decisions
• Strong GD&T fundamentals and tolerance stack-up analysis skills
• Self-directed and comfortable with ambiguity, with proven ability to drive projects with minimal oversight
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence across functions

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$87,020 - $222,300/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.