Structural Engineering Lead

About the role

• Structural Engineering Lead | Tesla (Manufacturing)
• Location: Fremont, California | Req ID: 278901 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

Tesla is looking for an experienced Structural Engineering Team Lead to join our Infrastructure Design Engineering team. As part of the EPC group, this team focuses on designing, collaborating, and building the first home of Optimus while continuing to support critical vehicle programs.

This person will bring deep structural engineering expertise as a licensed structural engineer and combine it with managerial experience—balancing technical judgment with people leadership, resource planning, prioritization, and cross-functional coordination. They will have a thorough understanding of structural design and construction, with experience collaborating across Architectural and MEP disciplines.

The ideal candidate can contribute technically while leading the team's delivery: improving workflows, enabling strong internal review practices, and communicating risk clearly to stakeholders on large, complex projects.

What You'll Do

• Lead the structural engineering team through planning, prioritization, and day-to-day people and resource management, while remaining technically engaged
• Combine structural engineering expertise with managerial accountability for team capacity, workload balancing, and delivery commitments across active programs; escalate risks early and partner with stakeholders on sequencing and tradeoffs
• Establish and maintain internal cross-team design review practices so quality is upheld through peer and interdisciplinary review, in partnership with the team's Engineers of Record
• Continually develop and improve project workflows, standards, and handoffs so designs are consistent, and constructible
• Provide structural technical expertise and guidance to the CSA design engineering team and other groups within the organization, collaborating with EORs, AORs, and partner disciplines
• Partner with the team on strategic decisions about technologies, materials, and processes to deliver reliable, cost-effective buildings and construction
• Ensure designs satisfy construction requirements and comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations
• Support construction activities through field review coordination and design guidance as needed
• Mentor engineers and support career growth; foster a collaborative culture with clear ownership and constructive review
• Guide others and take ownership of delivery outcomes on projects of varying complexity

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering, or equivalent experience
• Licensed Structural Engineer required (SE where applicable; PE with structural authority/licensure as required by jurisdiction)
• At least 10+ years of structural design experience with increasing responsibility, including demonstrated managerial experience leading people, coordinating multi-engineer teams, and/or owning project/resource management
• Proven ability to combine strong structural technical knowledge with managerial skills—able to engage in technical issues, coach the team, and lead delivery without duplicating or replacing existing EOR ownership of sealed work
• Hands-on experience spanning design and construction
• Ability to adapt, multi-task, and prioritize in a fast-paced environment with evolving design requirements
• Ability to identify risks and design deficiencies, and also to drive the structural team towards efficient and cost effective solutions
• Comfortable working under pressure with multiple large teams at once
• Strong collaboration and communication skills across engineering disciplines and stakeholders
• Proficient with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Bluebeam

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$160,000 - $264,000/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.