Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Technical Program Manager

Program ManagementPosted on Nov 11

Full-timeBrookshire, TX, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 5 years of experience in automotive OEM or Tier-1 with material quality, supplier quality, or technical program management.
A proven track record of leading complex, multi-year technical programs with cross-functional and supplier teams.
Hands-on knowledge of automotive materials, including metals, plastics, elastomers, composites, coatings, and adhesives, and testing and validation methods.
Strong command of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, 8D, SPC, MSA, and Six Sigma.
Project management skills covering scheduling, budgeting, risk, and stakeholder communication, using Jira, MS Project, or equivalent.
Ability to influence without authority and present to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

Own end-to-end program management for material quality, including new materials, substitutions, lightweighting, EV and battery materials, and quality campaigns.
Define material specifications, test plans, validation protocols, and quality gates aligned with APQP, PPAP, and OEM requirements.
Lead supplier qualification, development, and ongoing quality management through audits, scorecards, 8D, and process capability studies.
Partner with engineering and manufacturing on DFQ/DFM, FMEA, control plans, and SPC.
Identify and mitigate material risks across supply chain, performance, regulatory, and sustainability dimensions.
Track KPIs including defect rates, scrap and rework, supplier PPM, validation delivery, and cost of quality.
Drive cross-functional material decisions and launch support from concept through SOP, with executive updates, dashboards, and current industry standards.

Category	Supply Chain
Location	Brookshire, Texas
Requisition ID	284465
Type	Full-time

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Technical Program Manager with a specialized focus on material quality to join our automotive engineering and quality organization. In this role, you will lead cross-functional programs that ensure the materials used in our vehicles (metals, polymers, composites, coatings, adhesives, battery materials, and more) meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, safety, durability, and regulatory compliance.You will act as the technical and programmatic owner for material-related initiatives spanning new vehicle programs, supplier development, cost/quality/timing (CQT) optimization, sustainability, and continuous improvement. This is a high-visibility role that partners closely with Materials Engineering, Design, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supplier Quality, Testing Labs, and OEM/Tier-1 stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities

Own end-to-end program management for material quality, including new materials, substitutions, lightweighting, EV/battery materials, and quality campaigns
Define material specs, test plans, validation protocols, and quality gates aligned with APQP, PPAP, and OEM requirements
Lead supplier qualification, development, and ongoing quality management through audits, scorecards, 8D, and process capability studies
Partner with engineering and manufacturing on DFQ/DFM, FMEA, control plans, and SPC
Identify and mitigate material risks across supply chain, performance, regulatory, and sustainability
Track KPIs such as defect rates, scrap/rework, supplier PPM, validation delivery, and cost of quality
Drive cross-functional material decisions and launch support from concept through SOP, with executive updates, dashboards, and current industry standards

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience
5+ years in automotive OEM or Tier-1 with material quality, supplier quality, or technical program management
Proven track record leading complex, multi-year technical programs with cross-functional and supplier teams
Hands-on knowledge of automotive materials (metals, plastics, elastomers, composites, coatings, adhesives) and testing/validation methods
Strong command of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, 8D, SPC, MSA, and Six Sigma
Excellent project management skills including scheduling, budgeting, risk, and stakeholder communication (Jira, MS Project, or equivalent)
Outstanding communication with the ability to influence without authority and present to senior leadership

About the Company

Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Tesla makes electric cars and batteries that store power for homes and utilities, and it develops self-driving software and humanoid robots. In 2023, its Model Y became the first electric vehicle to rank as the world's best-selling car. Buyers order the Model 3 sedan, Model Y SUV, or Cybertruck pickup directly from Tesla instead of through dealers, and they charge on its Supercharger fast-charging network. It also sells Megapack and Powerwall batteries, runs a robotaxi service, and charges drivers a monthly fee for self-driving software that still needs their supervision. Tesla was founded in 2003, with Elon Musk as its lead early investor and a recognized co-founder, and it is based in Austin, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Austin, TX
Founded: 2003

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