Tesla Motors, Inc.
Vendor Manufacturing Engineer, Battery Cell Manufacturing
Tesla Motors, Inc., Fremont, California, us, 94537
What to Expect
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.
What You'll Do
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
Create 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 buy‑off 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
What You'll Bring
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience 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)
Compensation and 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 $80,000 - $174,000/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.
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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.
What You'll Do
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
Create 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 buy‑off 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
What You'll Bring
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience 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)
Compensation and 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 $80,000 - $174,000/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.
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