Tesla is seeking a Sr. Project Engineer of NPI to join our Solar Manufacturing Engineering team. This is an early-stage team building the operational foundation for a new business division, and this role will be instrumental in shaping processes, tools, and ways of working from the ground up.
This role is pivotal in transitioning prototypes to full-scale production, sustaining product excellence, and implementing improvements for Solar Manufacturing. As a key technical leader, you will collaborate with cross-functional teams (safety, design, manufacturing, etc.) to execute product change management, validate systems/parts, and ensure adherence to specifications. Responsibilities include developing testing protocols, conducting trials, documenting results, and refining processes to uphold quality standards. The ideal candidate will identify areas for improvement, establish validation methodologies, and support scalable manufacturing solutions while maintaining rigorous documentation and alignment with Tesla's mission of delivering high-quality cell efficiency.
- Lead manufacturing line trials for new products and processes to ensure product specifications and standards are achieved
- Manage quality assurance and procedures by testing and validating systems and parts;scope andimplementnew validation standards and procedures
- Conduct Trial Preparation: Ensure part availability, line readiness, and that pre-requisite data is obtained and consolidated; Complete trial report: Document observations, analysis, and results; make recommendations as needed; and drive solutions
- Record all issues found during trials and help drive them to closure; Manage trial recovery: Ensure manufacturing lines are validated and/or restored to their prior condition post-trial(s). Evaluate the success of each trial (safety, yield, downtime, cost, etc.); serve as subject matter expert (SME) on trials to ensure proper validation procedures are followed
- Become an expert-level trainer in assigned areas and be responsible for the level of knowledge of shift Technicians; serve as subject matter expert (SME) on trials to ensure proper validation procedures are followed
- Collaborate with a variety of cross-functional stakeholders to scope and execute the target outcome
- Strong ability to work and communicate effectively with the team and peers within a manufacturing and engineering organization. This includes excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Lead and provide feedback in change control meetingsthrough first-principles thinking
- Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience
- 7+ years of experience in high-volume/high-complexity manufacturing
- Understanding of manufacturability, process design, process validation, and assembly methods
- Strong problem-solving skills and an aptitude for learning systems quickly. Able to utilize structured problem-solving techniques such as DMAIC, Ishikawa, Five Whys (5W), or Eight Disciplines (8D). Able to resolve high-level performance issues into addressable actions
- Proven ability to operate under pressure with rigid time constraints; exceptional capacity for tracking and managing simultaneous tasks with competing priorities effectively
- Strong ability to work and communicate effectively with the team and peers within a manufacturing and engineering organization. This includes excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work in a fast-pacedmanufacturingenvironment, occasionally requiring extended hours
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)