Thermal Event Modeling Engineer, Energy Products

Tesla Motors, Inc.
112,000 - 234,000 USD
paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
United States, California, Palo Alto
Oct 06, 2025
What to Expect The Tesla Energy Products team is bringing battery and solar technology to the grid to facilitate a renewable energy ecosystem and redefine the way the world will use energy in the future. As part of the Safety Architecture team, you will be developing multi-fidelity battery thermal runaway, flame and combustion models along with test planning to validate the models and make Tesla Energy products world class. This role involves collaboration with designers, engineering, manufacturing, and service and requires the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to model, design, and validate battery thermal safety scenarios and design protections that are at the core of Tesla's success. Our team is small, committed, fast moving and we believe a diverse team of motivated individuals can accomplish almost anything. We are problem solvers, team players and game changers. If this sounds like you, Tesla just might be the place to make your mark. What You'll Do Develop combustion, heat transfer, and air flow models to simulate system performance in thermal fault scenarios Develop and execute component safety and subsystem design verification plans and test methods to validate models and product adherence to requirements Work with interdisciplinary team to create realistic models and test plans, guiding product design with clear technical documentation to help drive and optimize next generation safety and functionality in mass-production stationary storage systems Support energy programs through the entire life cycle including spec development, prototype builds, test, production and operation What You'll Bring Experience modeling combustion events including fire and/or deflagration modeling Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, or related field Strong fundamentals in combustion, heat transfer, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics Demonstrable motivation and ability to solve novel, difficult thermal design problems Preferred: Experience in CFD tools such as STAR-CCM, Fluent, OpenFOAM or Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) Preferred: Experience in Matlab or Python Preferred: Knowledge in lithium-ion battery thermal runaway Compensation and Benefits Benefits Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire: Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna 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 Employee Assistance Program Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary 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 $112,000 - $234,000/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.