Manager, Manufacturing Engineering, Optimus Assembly & Test

Tesla is seeking a seasoned and highly technical Manager in Manufacturing Engineering, to lead the Assembly and Test team for Optimus. This is a critical leadership role for someone who is humble, hungry, and smart - a hands-on people manager who is the best at what they do and can rapidly learn and adapt to the unique demands of robotics manufacturing. You will own the end-to-end product launch journey, from DFM through line commissioning and rate ramp, while building and developing a world-class engineering team in Austin. If you thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment and are passionate about building the future of humanoid robotics at scale, this role is for you.

• Build and Lead a High-Performing Team: Recruit, develop, and retain a team of manufacturing engineers who embody Tesla s values - humble, hungry, and smart. Set clear expectations, drive accountability, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and disciplined execution

• Drive End-to-End Product Launches: Own the full product launch lifecycle for Optimus Assembly and Test - from early-stage concept through prototype, pilot, and high-volume production ramp - ensuring on-time delivery at designed rate

• Lead DFM and Design Simplification: Partner with hardware and design engineering teams early in the product development cycle to drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) initiatives. Simplify product designs to enable mass manufacturability, with a bias toward innovative solutions that reduce complexity and cost

• Develop Processes and Equipment: Lead the development, specification, procurement, installation, and commissioning of assembly and test equipment. Ensure lines are brought up on schedule and validated to meet quality and throughput requirements

• Ramp Lines to Designed Rate: Drive line balancing, capacity planning, and bottleneck resolution to ramp assembly and test lines to designed production rates. Implement robust process controls and monitoring to sustain rate and quality

• Communicate Effectively Across All Levels: Deliver clear, concise, and data-driven updates to senior leadership and executives. Proactively surface risks, propose solutions, and align stakeholders across cross-functional teams including Design, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations

• Champion Process Discipline and Continuous Improvement: Model and enforce engineering rigor and operational discipline within the team. Apply first-principles thinking to eliminate waste, reduce cycle time, and drive scalable automation where appropriate

• Ensure Seamless Handover to Operations: Develop comprehensive documentation, work instructions, and training materials to enable a smooth transition from engineering to sustaining operations teams

• Proven People Leadership: Demonstrated experience managing and growing engineering teams. Known for building cohesive, high-performing teams and holding yourself and others to a high standard of excellence and accountability

• Strong background in mechanical assembly, electromechanical integration, and test system development

• Proficiency in CAD tools (CATIA and AutoCAD preferred)

• Familiarity with automation equipment, control systems, torque tools, and communication protocols (PLC, HMI, SCADA)

• Hands-on experience with quality control matrices, testing protocols, and troubleshooting methodologies

• End-to-End Launch Experience: Proven track record of launching new products from concept through high-volume production, including DFM, process/equipment development, line installation, commissioning, and rate ramp

• Robotics or Complex Electromechanical Manufacturing: Experience in robotics, automotive, aerospace, or similarly complex manufacturing environments. Ability to learn and adapt quickly to the unique challenges of humanoid robotics manufacturing

• Executive Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present clearly and confidently to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders

• Self-Driven and Disciplined: Highly self-motivated with strong personal discipline. Able to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and drive results in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience

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