Sr. Test Engineer, Cell Abuse

About the role

Sr. Test Engineer, Cell Abuse | Tesla (Engineering & Information Technology)

Location: Palo Alto, California | Req ID: 265637 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

We are looking for an Engineer to perform battery cell abuse testing across all programs, including vehicle and energy storage. In this role, you would be responsible for a variety of tests spanning electrical, thermal, and mechanical abuse. You would own the testing end-to-end: planning, execution, and results interpretation.

What You'll Do

• Collaborate with internal Tesla teams and cell suppliers to develop cell designs (particularly mechanical) and plan builds
• Determine test plans for each new phase of a program, as a function of expected risks and schedule
• Work with Technician staff to schedule tests and set priorities
• Participate in as much testing as time allows, in order to understand the test rigs and the cell behaviors, and become grounded in lab operations
• Look for opportunities to improve throughput and data quality. Collaborate with Test Systems Engineer to realize improvements to fixtures or test software
• Serve as first point of contact for test rig troubleshooting
• Process raw results into meaningful conclusions. Share reports with internal technical teams, external suppliers, and occasionally to executives
• Maintain standard operating procedures for test equipment
• Study variation in results (examples being short circuit, crush, and provoked thermal runaway). Propose and execute plans to reduce / understand variation
• Travel up to 25%

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineering or equivalent experience; preferred experience with heat transfer and electrical fundamentals
• 5+ years’ experience in physically-applied engineering (lab, machine shop, hobby project)
• Must be hands-on (assembly, fabrication/modification, instrumentation, wiring, electrical troubleshooting)
• Enjoys working in cross-functional groups and leading/working alongside Technicians
• Statistical background a plus
• CAD experience a plus
• Programming experience in Matlab strongly preferred. Labview a plus
• Experience with instrumentation / data acquisition, National Instruments preferred
• Able to plan/schedule many concurrent activities in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment

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 - $234,000/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.