Plant Economist, Lithium Refinery

Tesla Motors, Inc.
paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
United States, Texas, Robstown
Oct 02, 2025
What to Expect At Tesla, we are accelerating the world's transition to sustainable energy, and our Lithium Refinery near Corpus Christi, TX, plays a critical role in this mission by supporting the production of battery materials for electric vehicles. As a Plant Economist, you will be a key member of the refinery team, driving financial and operational decision-making through detailed cost of goods sold (COGS) modeling and economic analysis. You will collaborate closely with Finance, Operations, and Business Leadership to optimize refinery economics, inform material sourcing strategies, and support budgeting and forecasting. This role offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on Tesla's mission by ensuring the economic efficiency of our cutting-edge lithium refining operations. What You'll Do Develop and maintain detailed COGS models for the Lithium Refinery, providing insights to guide plant operating decisions and material sourcing strategies Analyze operational data to identify opportunities for cost optimization and process improvements, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives Collaborate with the Finance team to integrate refinery economic models into broader budgeting and financial forecasting processes Partner with Operations and Business Leadership to provide actionable financial analysis that supports strategic decision-making Monitor market trends and raw material costs to inform sourcing strategies and mitigate financial risks Present economic analyses and recommendations to stakeholders at various levels, translating complex data into clear, actionable insights Support long-term planning by modeling scenarios for capacity expansion, process changes, or market shifts What You'll Bring Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Economics, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience 5+ years of experience in chemical, petrochemical, or oil and gas industries, ideally as an Economist, Business Analyst, or Optimization Engineer within a refinery or manufacturing environment Strong expertise in cost modeling, financial analysis, and budgeting, with the ability to build and maintain complex economic models Proficiency in data analysis tools and software (e.g., Excel, Tableau, or similar); experience with ERP systems is a plus Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial concepts to diverse audiences, including operational teams and senior leadership A proactive, problem-solving mindset with a passion for driving efficiency and innovation in a fast-paced environment Alignment with Tesla's mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy 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