Mechanical Design Engineer, Battery Engineering, Structural Design

$80,000 - $300,000/Yr

Tesla - Palo Alto, CA

Full-time - Entry Level

Palo Alto, CA

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Mechanical Design Engineer position within the Battery Engineering team at Tesla focuses on the structural design of electric vehicles, specifically the components that form the foundation of the battery systems. This role is critical in ensuring that Tesla's vehicles are not only efficient but also safe for occupants. The team is composed of passionate engineers who thrive on solving complex problems and are dedicated to redefining transportation through innovative technology. The position is based in Palo Alto, CA, and involves collaboration with various engineering teams, including Structures, Pack, Module, Devices, and Electronics engineering. The Mechanical Design Engineer will play a pivotal role in improving existing designs and defining future vehicle designs, requiring a strong foundation in engineering principles and a hands-on approach to problem-solving. In this role, the engineer will be responsible for integrating vehicle and battery cell designs, ensuring safety and reliability, and partnering with manufacturing engineering teams to develop new processes and materials. The engineer will serve as the local design authority for line launches, design changes, trials, and root-cause analysis. Additionally, the role involves conducting on-site component and system-level testing to support design changes and coordinating large validation testing with global teams. The engineer will also engage in root-cause and corrective analysis for design issues, collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to address yield barriers, and own product improvements related to cost and complexity reductions. Proficiency in 3D design and GD&T drawings of complex parts and assemblies is essential for this position.

Responsibilities

• Integrate vehicle and battery cell designs seamlessly.
• Enhance safety and reliability of vehicles.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering teams to develop new processes and materials.
• Serve as the local design authority for line launches, design changes, trials, and root-cause analysis.
• Conduct on-site component and system-level testing to support design changes.
• Coordinate large validation testing with global teams.
• Perform root-cause and corrective analysis for design issues.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Process, and Quality teams to solve yield barriers and scrap issues.
• Own product improvements related to cost and complexity reductions.
• Create 3D designs and GD&T drawings of complex parts and assemblies.

Requirements

• Strong engineering fundamentals in materials and mechanics.
• Demonstrated ability to actively find problems and solutions.
• Detail-oriented personality with solid documentation and reporting skills.
• Strong experience in CAD modeling (experience in CATIA V5/3DX is a plus but not required).
• An outlook that finds joy in solving problems with creative engineering solutions.
• Prior experience in a relevant engineering field is valued but not required.
• Prior experience in high volume manufacturing is valued but not required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in CATIA V5/3DX CAD modeling.
• Experience in high volume manufacturing environments.

Benefits

• Aetna PPO and HSA plans with $0 payroll deduction for medical plans.
• Family-building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental and vision plans with options for $0 paycheck contribution.
• Company paid HSA contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna medical plan with HSA.
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• LGBTQ+ care concierge services.
• 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 including 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.