Materials Engineer, Cell Electrode

Tesla is looking for a highly motivated materials focused process development engineer to create, develop and scale up manufacturing processes for our cutting-edge Tesla battery cell manufacturing line. This role will help invent, develop, scale up, and optimize battery manufacturing processes within a cross-functional engineering team responsible for the development lifecycle and launch into manufacturing.

The battery cell is a critical component in Tesla vehicles and storage systems. This role will have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to our products. The work environment is demanding, fast-paced, and incredibly exciting.

• Drive development of new/innovative manufacturing processes from proof of concept through to full scale production that enable improved battery performance and cost, and meets throughput requirements
• Characterize existing processes, establish controls for critical parameters, improve process robustness, and conduct analysis/interpretation of experimental data
• Create robust materials testing protocols to inform process development and quality control
• Conduct root cause analysis of failure modes at various process steps
• Drive process commissioning on new production lines
• Establish process controls for SPC, develop process related OCAPs, and execute DoEs to optimize process conditions
• Develop and manage PFMEA risk assessments to prioritize process improvement projects and ensure adequate metrology and controls are in place
• Debug process integration issues to ensure interactions between processes are kept under control
• Build process documentation to accurately define the process to cross-functional teams (equipment, quality, production, etc.)
• Model holistic process costs using bottoms-up system approach
• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 1+ year interdisciplinary/integrated engineering, process development, manufacturing engineering, or equivalent
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and ability to apply them towards manufacturing process development
• Ability to build structure-property-processing relationships for different material classes e.g., ceramics, polymers, and composites
• Proven problem solver with demonstrated experience in data driven root cause analysis using statistical software (JMP is a plus)
• Demonstrated capabilities in manufacturing process development for new and unique products
• Hands-on experience and fundamental understanding of one or more materials characterization techniques such as SEM, XRD, particle size measurement, dry and wet rheology, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, TGA, DSC etc.
• Willingness to perform hands on work on pilot and production lines, as well as in laboratory settings
• Experience in high volume manufacturing involving one or more of these areas is highly desired: material formulations expertise, dry powder handling and processing, mixing fundamentals and scale up expertise, ceramic and composite materials, pneumatic conveyance of powders and composites, automated mechanical assembly, power electronics, industrial chemical processing, or battery manufacturing (Li-ion or other chemistry)

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