Staff Cell Thermal Modeling Engineer

Tesla is seeking a simulation expert to lead the technical execution and strategic direction of the Cell Thermal Modeling team. In this pivotal role you will serve as the technical authority for Teslas next-generation cell modeling efforts, bridging the gap between fundamental physics, cell design, and vehicle-level performance. You will act as a primary technical lead, providing high-level guidance to unblock the team on complex theoretical challenges while managing project timelines and resource allocation across multiple high-priority programs. You will architect the transition toward first-principles physics-based parameterization and ensure the team delivers critical insights that drive design decisions for both in-house and vendor cell programs.

Technical Leadership & Strategy

• Define and enforce the technical standards for the team, specifically driving the methodological shift from empirical curve-fitting to physics-based component parameterization.

Team Mentorship & Unblocking

• Serve as the primary technical escalation point for the team.
• Provide deep technical guidance to Senior Engineers to resolve roadblocks in numerical methods, code architecture, or complex thermal phenomena (e.g., hysteresis in non-ideal chemistries).

Program Management

• Coordinate resources and prioritize tasks across conflicting deadlines for both external vendor programs and internal in-house cell development.
• Ensure modeling milestones align with critical vehicle program gates.

Advanced Model Architecture

• Architect the frameworks for automated validation and simulation workflows.
• Review and approve code structure (Python, MATLAB) and modeling methodologies to ensure scalability and transferability.

Cross-Functional Alignment

• Act as the primary liaison between the thermal modeling team and Cell Design, Manufacturing, and Vehicle Systems teams.
• Translate high-level program goals into actionable modeling tasks.

Design Influence

• Proactively identify thermal risks and opportunities in early-stage designs.
• Lead feasibility studies for major architectural changes and material selections.

Communication

• Guide the team to synthesize complex technical data into clear strategic recommendations for executive leadership and program managers.

Education

• Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or equivalent experience.

Experience

• 7 years of experience in physics-based thermal modeling or computational engineering with a demonstrated track record of technical leadership.

Technical Mastery

• Expert-level knowledge of numerical methods, optimization, ODEs, PDEs, heat transfer, and thermodynamics.

Project Leadership

• Proven track record of managing technical projects, creating timelines, and balancing resources in a resource-constrained, multi-project environment.
• Advanced architecture skills in Python, MATLAB, or Simulink, with the ability to review and guide code development.
• Expertise in CAE packages (COMSOL preferred, or ANSYS-FLUENT, Star-CCM+).

Mentorship

• Demonstrated ability to elevate the technical output of a team, mentor junior/senior engineers, and foster a collaborative, innovative culture.

Mindset

• A strategic thinker who can balance immediate firefighting on critical programs with long-term capability development.

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.
• Vision: Plans with options for 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).
• 401k 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.

Expected Compensation

• $128,000 - $228,000 annual salary, cash, and stock awards, benefits.
• Pay 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.