Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Robotics Mechanical Design Engineer - Plastics & Exteriors, Optimus

Design EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timePalo Alto, CA, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent industry experience is required.
Experience shipping consumer-grade products at rates of millions of units per year is required.
Deep knowledge of material science and high-volume manufacturing processes is required; injection molding and casting experience is preferred.
Proficiency in designing parts and assemblies using 3D modeling software is required; CATIA or 3DX is preferred.
Proficiency in drafting engineering drawings and conducting tolerance stack-up analysis is required; geometric dimensioning and tolerancing is required.

Responsibilities

Design and develop the robot’s exterior hardware, including molded covers, cladding, and structural surfaces, balancing aesthetics, craftsmanship, and durability in close collaboration with the Tesla Design Studio.
Determine component-level mechanical requirements for stiffness, strength, and compliance based on functional product specifications.
Develop attachment and alignment schemes, and own computer-aided design integration of exterior hardware into the robot.
Develop designs using compressible and compliant geometries to enhance human safety during physical interaction with the robot.
Determine the effect of exterior hardware and integrated soft goods on robot performance by running characterization tests and correlating simulations.
Perform tolerance analysis covering process variability, environmental exposure, and material aging to achieve precise production targets for gap, flush, and alignment.
Select materials and processes for high-volume production based on mechanical properties, dimensional capability, cosmetics, cost, and supply chain stability.
Drive each phase of product launch, including part design, tooling design and Moldflow analysis, tool trials and validation, process certification, and cosmetic and dimensional quality approvals.
Conduct should-cost analysis to determine fair goods pricing, from raw materials through value-adding processing steps, including labor and logistics.

Desired Qualifications

Experience integrating rigid covers, cladding, or similar exterior hardware onto a moving product is preferred.

Category	Tesla SI
Location	Palo Alto, California
Requisition ID	288394
Type	Full-time

Job Description

Join the Tesla Optimus team and help build the future of general-purpose robotics. We are developing a highly capable, safe, and scalable humanoid robot designed to perform useful tasks in factories, homes, and beyond—leveraging Tesla’s expertise in SI, product design, and high-volume manufacturing. Our mission is to create a robot that can understand and interact with the real world at a level that transforms everyday life and unlocks new possibilities for humanity. The Plastics and Exteriors team designs the robot’s outer shell. We own attachment, integration, and assembly on the bot, creating exteriors that hold cosmetic and dimensional precision while enhancing safety and performance. Hiring engineers at all levels.

Job Responsibilities

Design and develop the robot’s exterior hardware—molded covers, cladding, and structural surfaces—balancing aesthetics, craftsmanship, and durability in close collaboration with the Tesla Design Studio
Determine component-level mechanical requirements—stiffness, strength, and compliance—from functional product specifications
Develop attachment and alignment schemes, owning CAD integration of exterior hardware into the robot
Develop innovative designs using compressible and compliant geometries that enhance human safety during physical interaction with the robot
Determine the effect of exterior hardware and integrated soft goods on robot performance, by running characterization tests and correlating simulations
Perform tolerance analysis, including process variability, environmental exposure, and material aging, to achieve precise craftsmanship targets for gap, flush, and alignment in volume production
Perform tolerance analysis, including process variability, environmental exposure, and material aging, to achieve precise craftsmanship targets for gap, flush, and alignment in volume production
Perform material and process selection for high-volume production based on mechanical properties, dimensional capability, cosmetics, cost, and supply chain stability
Drive every phase of product launch, including part design, tooling design and Moldflow analysis, tool trials and validation, process certification, and quality approvals (cosmetic and dimensional)
Conduct should-cost analysis to determine the fair price of goods from fundamental raw materials through value-adding processing steps including labor and logistics

Job Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent industry experience
Experience shipping consumer-grade products at rates in the millions of units per year
Deep knowledge of material science and high-volume manufacturing processes (injection molding and casting preferred)
Proficiency in designing parts and assemblies using 3D modeling software (CATIA/3DX preferred)
Proficiency in drafting engineering drawings and conducting tolerance stack-up analysis (GD&T required)
Experience integrating rigid covers, cladding, or similar exterior hardware onto a moving product preferred

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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