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Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Cell Development

Tesla Motors, Inc.
91,600 - 195,600 USD
paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
United States, California, Palo Alto
Jun 26, 2026
What to Expect

We're seeking top engineers to design paradigm-shifting
battery cells, the heart of every Tesla product, and the biggest lever on
affordable, abundant, and performant EVs for all. Our vertically integrated
program is industry one-of-a-kind: the opportunity to drive architectures from
the ground up, influence roadmap & full product portfolio, and master
technical challenges in manufacturing at orders-of-magnitude greater volume
than is typical for automotive systems.

The role requires strong 1st principles, a passion for
advancing state-of-the-art, and the tenacity to ensure the success of your
ideas. Our team habitually defies convention and designs to the limits of
physics. You'll align inputs from multiple disciplines (electrochemistry
design, equipment and controls design, and manufacturing & quality
engineering) to develop new cell products, set & validate to requirements,
and launch into mass production. Tesla moves fast: self-motivation, discipline,
collaboration, and strong communication are critical for success, in addition
to embracing ambiguity as an opportunity for defining novel directions. Your
environment will include battle-proven industry experts, high-aptitude recent
graduates, and open access to a wealth of domain leaders across every Tesla
department.


What You'll Do
  • Holistic
    design ownership of mechanical parts and assemblies for in-house pouch and
    cylindrical cells, including initial concept through development, prototyping,
    launch, and ramp
  • Advance
    and execute technologies that unlock new product performance and safety
    paradigms while reducing cost and mass while improving manufacturability
  • Own
    prototyping, basic testing, and analysis
  • Hands-on
    engagement with manufacturing process and automation development
  • Lead
    multi-disciplinary collaborations across electrochemistry design, CAE, supply
    chain, quality, manufacturing, qualification, new product introduction
  • Research
    and benchmark competitive solutions and complete DFMEA and fault tree analysis
  • Define
    and release technical specifications (dimensional, functional, performance, and
    manufacturing)
  • Author
    clear technical documentation & deliver live presentations, driving
    collaboration with partner teams (Pack, Vehicle, and Vendor Programs)
  • Establish
    design tools, protocols, workflows, and documentation that improve efficiency and
    rigor
  • Coordinate
    and drive response to emergent issues (validation, factory, supply, etc.), participating
    in component sourcing and supplier engineering relationships as needed

What You'll Bring
  • Degree
    in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or equivalent experience
  • 3+
    years as a Mechanical Engineer driving design phases, requirements, and
    specifications in a multi-disciplinary product (battery cells is a major plus)
  • Strong
    first-principles thinking in mechanics and heat transfer, with a quantitative,
    analytical mindset and a track record of successfully launched products
  • Proficiency
    and proven/tried history in 3D CAD modeling (CATIA V5/V6 is a plus), GD&T,
    structural/thermal FEA, and statistical analysis
  • Experience
    designing for high-volume and automated precision manufacturing processes
    (e.g., stamping, deep drawing, injection molding, heat treating, welding),
    including DFM and DFMEA practices
  • Familiarity
    with properties and applications of common engineering metals and polymers and
    their limits
  • Experience
    with hands-on fabrication, experiment design and setup, and data
    acquisition/analysis
  • Exceptional
    ability to communicate complex information through live reporting, written
    documentation, and data presentation, with a disciplined approach to version
    control and organization
  • Natural
    inclination to lead discussions with internal and external groups, organize and
    motivate teams, improve workflows, and escalate issues
  • Appetite
    for extreme ownership, continuous improvement, and delivering results under
    pressure amid fast timelines, shifting requirements, and competing priorities

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:

  • 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
    Expected Compensation
    $91,600 - $195,600/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.

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