Vendor Manufacturing Engineer, Battery Cell Manufacturing
Tesla
Vendor Manufacturing Engineer, Battery Cell Manufacturing
| Job Category | Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Location | AUSTIN, Texas |
| Req. ID | 242125 |
| Job Type | Full-time |
Tesla’s Battery Cells are the foundation of every product we make. We innovate at the intersection of cutting-edge cell architecture, high-volume manufacturing, and uncompromising performance. Our fast-paced environment demands passion, agility, and a team-first mindset. Join a team of industry experts and visionaries shaping the future of sustainable energy.
Tesla’s Vendor Manufacturing Engineering (VME) team drives critical supplier tooling, process development, and industrialization for battery cell components. As a VME Engineer, you’ll ensure suppliers meet Tesla’s quality, capacity, and timeline requirements through hands-on collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and rapid problem-solving. You’ll act as the bridge between Tesla’s internal Cell Manufacturing team and global suppliers, optimizing processes from design to mass production.
- Support the supplier assessment process for new supplier sourcing, ensuring that suppliers can meet Tesla component requirements and specifications for process, equipment, packaging and metrology, while complying with Tesla’s quality, reliability, and performance standards
- Author and develop process, equipment, packaging, metrology and FAI/SPC inspection requirements, including written specs and required supporting 2D/3D drawings/CAD
- Lead tooling and equipment design, PFMEAs, and process capability validation at suppliers to meet Tesla’s CTQ (Critical to Quality) requirements
- Oversee and support supplier industrialization development and installation for mechanical components including, equipment buyoff at vendors, Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), Fault Injection Testing (FI), capacity analysis, metrology validation and correlation, and other data driven phase-gate approvals
- Partner with suppliers, machine vendors, Design, Cell Assembly, Quality, and Procurement to ensure DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and seamless component integration and ramp (DFX)
- Resolve supplier issues through root-cause analysis, FA/CA, and corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Additionally, support the resolution of internal customer process issues utilizing these same skillsets, flowing down data driven change requirements as needed
- Support and guide suppliers to develop optimized processing, material flow, packaging, and handling processes to enhance efficiency and quality
- Ensure adherence to ISO 9001/IATF 16949 standards and Tesla’s manufacturing protocols
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years in Manufacturing Process Engineering, Automation Engineering or Supplier Industrialization, preferably in automotive or high-volume component production
- Proficiency in GD&T, SPC, MSA, FMEA / PFMEA, Simulation, CAD, statistical process control JMP capability analysis (Cp / Cpk), and control plans
- Knowledge of metrology systems (inline/offline)
- In-depth knowledge of lean manufacturing principles
- Experience with equipment buy-offs and process capability validation
- Proven ability to manage cross-functional projects and drive supplier accountability
- Exceptional technical writing and verbal skills to simplify complex issues
- Willingness to travel 10-15% (domestic/international)
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
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
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