Sr. Project Developer, Megapack

About the role

• Sr. Project Developer, Megapack | Tesla (Energy - Solar & Storage)
• Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 282107 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a Senior Project Developer to join a new self-development team focused on greenfield solar, storage, powered land, and energy infrastructure projects across the United States. This role will be boots on the ground — identifying prospective sites, building landowner relationships, navigating local permitting processes, and supporting projects from early-stage prospecting through construction-readiness.

This is an opportunity to join a fast-growing team at the forefront of Tesla’s energy ambitions. The Senior Project Developer will work closely with senior development leadership and cross-functional partners in interconnection, origination, engineering, and finance. We are looking for candidates with hands-on greenfield development experience in ERCOT, SPP, MISO, or the Western U.S. and a passion for Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

What You'll Do

• Identify and evaluate prospective greenfield development sites for utility-scale solar, powered land, and energy infrastructure projects using GIS tools, transmission capacity data, and market intelligence
• Build landowner relationships, support negotiation of land options and leases, and coordinate title, survey, and environmental diligence
• Navigate local permitting and entitlement processes, including conditional use permits, site plan approvals, and public hearings
• Coordinate with interconnection, engineering, and origination teams to advance projects through key development milestones
• Build and maintain relationships with local stakeholders, including AHJs, utilities, transmission owners, community groups, and elected officials
• Support development of internal processes, templates, and best practices as the team scales

What You'll Bring

• 3–5 years of utility-scale solar, storage, or renewable energy project development experience, with meaningful greenfield development exposure
• Direct development experience in one or more of: ERCOT, SPP, MISO, or Western U.S. (ex-California); exposure to powered land or infrastructure siting a plus
• Experience with landowner outreach, option/lease agreements, and local permitting processes (CUPs, site plans, environmental review)
• Familiarity with interconnection processes and the ability to coordinate with specialists on queue positioning and study milestones
• Proficiency with GIS/mapping tools for site prospecting and screening
• Strong communication skills, particularly with external stakeholders including landowners, local communities, and authorities
• Understanding of project economics and financial modeling inputs; self-starter mentality with comfort working independently in the field

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$92,000 - $204,000/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.