Sr. Technical Program Manager, Optimus Hardware Validation

About the role

Sr. Technical Program Manager, Optimus Hardware Validation | Tesla (Engineering & Information Technology)

Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 277823 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

The Optimus (Tesla Bot) team is seeking an experienced Technical Program Manager to drive hardware development. The Technical Program Manager’s core responsibility will be managing execution for new hardware development, testing, industrialization, design improvements, and industrialization.

This individual will support the Engineering team by organizing and tracking all relevant schedules and metrics across active hardware projects. They will also be the team’s central owner for specific hardware subsystem project plans, and work with Global Sourcing, Supplier Industrialization, and Tesla suppliers to ensure production demand is met and drive escalation and resolution for any risks to schedule.

In addition to exceptional organization skills, the TPM must also utilize strong technical skills to work in depth with multiple engineering teams to organize technical reviews, testing, and validation planning. They are expected to have a working understanding of electromechanical actuator design, testing, manufacturing, assembly, and a clear understanding of relevant technical risks.

What You'll Do

• Create, own, and manage design, build, industrialization, and test plans across multiple hardware development projects and communicate and resolve issues
• Central point of contact for specific hardware development, testing, and industrialization plans
• Coordinate with cross functional teams on multiple continents to prioritize and manage high-impact changes and drive improvements to all relevant project schedules
• Track and maintain key components and program metrics including cost, reliability, mass, and performance to schedule
• Lead critical priority reaction plans for design and quality risks
• Lead development of design, testing and validation timelines, DFMEAs, and DFMs
• Manage prototype sourcing and logistics for early-stage program needs
• Facilitate logistics and tracking for priority projects including shipment of prototype parts and test units amongst internal, supplier, and external test sites
• Conduct regular reviews with senior management to present project status updates.
• Collaborate with Engineering Part and System owners on Product updates and ensure all changes are well-documented and efficiently implemented

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent, or the equivalent in experience and evidence of exceptional ability
• 3+ years of experience in project management for complex electromechanical products
• Extensive background in sourcing electric motors, geartrains, castings, and long lead time products
• Proactive, highly organized, and detail oriented, with strong technical communication ability - able to drive improvements across a global interdisciplinary team
• Experience analyzing product metrics, business cases, and schedules for large scale product implementation
• Proven track record of taking conceptual designs through to launched products - on time, under pressure, with competing priorities
• Proficiency in JIRA, Confluence, SharePoint, and PowerPoint; comfort adopting AI-powered tools to automate reporting and accelerate decision-making
• Hands-on procurement experience - BoM ownership, material tracking, PO management, inventory, and relentless follow-through on open actions
• Self-driven, adaptable, and resourceful - someone who thrives in ambiguity, works independently across multiple programs, and solves problems by collaboration with right stakeholders
• Exceptional communicator - written, verbal, and visual, with the executive presence to align cross-functional teams and present confidently to leadership

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$96,800 - $253,200/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.