Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Refinery Operations Leader - Battery Minerals & Metals

Machine & Process OperationConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeTexas, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

At least 8 years of progressive leadership in chemical refining, mineral processing, petrochemicals, metals production, or similar high-volume continuous operations.
A track record of leading teams of 100 or more people through complex ramps, turnarounds, or greenfield startups in 24/7 industrial environments.
A degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
Willingness to work extended hours during ramp phases and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

Oversee all shifts and functions of the refining facility, including kiln operations, leaching, purification, crystallization, drying, and product finishing, while meeting production forecasts and quality specifications.
Execute the ramp from initial production to full nameplate capacity while continuously improving yield, uptime, and cost per ton.
Champion safety performance and environmental stewardship, ensuring compliance with regulatory, permitting, and company standards in a high-temperature chemical-process environment.
Work with Process Engineering, R&D, and Equipment teams to optimize alkaline leach and purification processes, eliminate bottlenecks, and reduce energy and reagent consumption.
Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team of operators, shift supervisors, engineers, and technicians; foster ownership, rapid problem-solving, and continuous improvement through the Tesla Production System.
Partner with Mining, Logistics, Quality, Manufacturing, Cell Production, and external suppliers to ensure raw material intake and on-spec product delivery to downstream battery factories.
Own key performance indicators, including OEE, throughput, yield, cost, safety, and sustainability metrics, and provide leadership updates to senior management.
Lead initiatives to minimize waste, repurpose byproducts such as converting residues into construction materials, and further reduce the carbon intensity of refining.

Desired Qualifications

Greenfield refinery experience.
Direct experience with highly hazardous chemicals, such as pyrophorics.

Category	Manufacturing
Location	Field, Texas
Requisition ID	270032
Type	Full-time

Job Description

<p>Tesla is building the world’s most advanced and sustainable battery materials supply chain. As Refining Operations Leader, you will own end-to-end operations for our state-of-the-art refinery.</p>

Job Responsibilities

Oversee all shifts and functions of the refining facility, including kiln operations, leaching, purification, crystallization, drying, and product finishing, while meeting aggressive production forecasts and quality specifications
Greenfield refinery experience is preferred
Execute the ramp from initial production to full nameplate capacit) while continuously improving yield, uptime, and cost per ton
Champion world-class safety performance (zero incidents goal) and environmental stewardship. Ensure full compliance with all regulatory, permitting, and Tesla standards in a high-temperature, chemical-process environment
Work closely with Process Engineering, R&D, and Equipment teams to optimize Tesla’s innovative alkaline leach and purification processes, eliminate bottlenecks, and reduce energy and reagent consumption
Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team of operators, shift supervisors, engineers, and technicians. Foster a culture of ownership, rapid problem-solving, and continuous improvement (Tesla Production System)
Partner with Mining, Logistics, Quality, Manufacturing, Cell Production, and external suppliers to ensure seamless raw material intake and on-spec product delivery to downstream battery factories
Own key performance indicators including OEE, throughput, yield, cost, safety, and sustainability metrics. Provide clear leadership updates to senior management
Lead initiatives to minimize waste, repurpose byproducts (e.g., converting residues into construction materials), and further reduce the carbon intensity of refining

Job Requirements

8+ years of progressive leadership in chemical refining, mineral processing, petrochemicals, metals production, or similar high-volume continuous operations. Direct experience with highly hazardous chemicals, i.e. pyrophorics is a plus
Track record of leading large teams (100+ people) through complex ramps, turnarounds, or greenfield startups in 24/7 industrial environments
Degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
Mission-driven, hands-on, data-obsessed, and comfortable with high ambiguity and rapid pace. Willing to roll up sleeves on the plant floor while thinking strategically about multi-year scale-up
Willingness to work extended hours during ramp phases and travel as needed. Relocation support available for the right candidate

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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