Mechanical Design Engineer - Seating

Job Description

As an Engineer in the Seat Engineering Department, you will be responsible for design engineering from concept to end-of-life, as well as problem-solving for existing products within the seating domain.

Seats are defined as products that provide comfortable support for vehicle occupants, functioning as dynamic, robotic structural components. Typical commodities include seating structures, mechanisms, actuators, foam, trim, plastics, harnesses, controllers, PCBs, and sensors.

In this role, you will engage in diverse engineering disciplines, including materials (e.g., steel, polymer composites, fabrics), manufacturing equipment, PCB design, firmware/software, production processes, mechanical design, supply chain coordination, and quality improvement. Team members act as both specialists and polymaths, leveraging their unique expertise to complement the team.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage all phases of the product lifecycle: concept generation, selection, vehicle packaging and layout, detailed design, validation, manufacturing feasibility, production processes, and sustainability
• Balance and negotiate product attributes, including safety, functionality, comfort, craftsmanship, cost, mass, schedule, and sustainability
• Create 3D CAD models (e.g., using CATIA) and 2D drawings, including datum and fixation strategies, GD&T, and Bills of Materials (BOM) ownership
• Interpret CAE simulation results and integrate findings into product designs, utilizing tools like DRBFM/DFMEA to ensure robust products meet requirements
• Collaborate with Tesla’s Vehicle Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, and Procurement teams to ensure system integration and compatibility, while communicating cross-functionally with Commercial, Quality, and Supplier interfaces
• Produce technical documentation for official use and communication

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 2 years of engineering experience, including at least 1 year on a full-cycle design project
• Strong fundamentals in mechanical engineering: statics, kinematics, dynamics, materials, mechanisms, and GD&T
• Experience in mechatronics: circuit design, PCB design, I/O, controls, embedded programming, and Arduino
• Knowledge of biomechanics: human musculoskeletal anatomy, circulation, ergonomics, and pathology
• Expertise in soft goods: designing with textiles, artificial leather, elastomers, fibers, cellular structures, and flexures
• Proficiency with composite structures: designing, manufacturing, and testing fiber-resin composites
• Skilled in technical communication: 3D modeling, 2D drawing, hand sketching, hands-on prototyping, data collection, and presentation
• Evidence of exceptional ability, strong organizational skills, self-motivation, and the ability to manage progress through tight timelines while addressing technical challenges using first-principles thinking