Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Lead Mechanical Design Engineer - Cell Manufacturing, Factory Programs

Building Services EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeAustin, TX, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience with proven technical leadership.
At least 8 years of hands-on experience in large-scale facility mechanical systems design, preferably in high-precision manufacturing environments such as cell production or semiconductors.
Proven experience in cleanroom or dryroom design, including environmental control, particle management, and pressure differentials.
Expertise in 3D modeling using Revit, with strong proficiency in AutoCAD 2D.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical projects through the full lifecycle, from concept to commissioning.
Strong organizational and documentation skills.
Ability to influence cross-functional teams, explain technical concepts clearly, and resolve conflicts constructively.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of mechanical system concepts, utility layouts, load requirements, and system specifications during early-stage feasibility and conceptual design phases.
Define and document all mechanical interfaces between cell manufacturing equipment and central factory systems, integrating them into the cell manufacturing factory Revit model.
Review and approve detailed mechanical design documents, including airflow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, schematics, and system layouts.
Conduct cost-benefit analyses to evaluate centralized versus localized utility solutions, such as process cooling water, dust collection, and HVAC.
Apply first principles to size, optimize, and verify critical components, including ducting, piping, chillers, cooling towers, boilers, fans, air handling units, pumps, and heat exchangers.
Collaborate with local factory engineering teams and regulatory authorities to ensure designs meet regional codes, standards, and permitting requirements.
Partner with internal and external Engineering, Procurement, and Construction teams throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring design integrity and technical alignment.
Serve as the on-site technical lead during construction and commissioning, resolving critical issues in real time and ensuring system performance meets design intent.
Develop and maintain internal standards, specifications, and best practices for mechanical utility systems based on lessons learned and continuous improvement.

Desired Qualifications

Experience with pipe flow and system modeling tools such as AFT Pipeflow, Aspen HYSYS, or equivalent.

Category	Manufacturing
Location	AUSTIN, Texas
Requisition ID	261789
Type	Full-time

Job Description

Tesla’s Cell Engineering Factory Programs team is seeking an experienced Staff Mechanical Engineer to serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for our 4680 cell manufacturing factories. This is a key technical leadership role at the core of our global capacity expansion, where you’ll define and own the mechanical infrastructure that enables high-volume, high-reliability battery production at scale.  You will be the primary subject matter expert for factory mechanical systems, covering dry and wet mechanical systems, HVAC, utility distribution, and environmental control, ensuring seamless integration between manufacturing equipment and central factory systems. Your work will directly impact facility performance, uptime, and scalability, making you a critical enabler of our manufacturing roadmap.  As the in-house authority on mechanical system design, you’ll bridge engineering, construction, and operations, translating product and process requirements into robust, efficient, and code-compliant infrastructure. You’ll lead the design, validation, and implementation of mechanical systems across new and existing facilities, ensuring alignment with Tesla’s engineering standards, safety protocols, and long-term operational goals.

Job Responsibilities

Lead the development of mechanical system concepts, utility layouts, load requirements, and system specifications during early-stage feasibility and conceptual design phases

Define and document all mechanical interfaces between cell manufacturing equipment and central factory systems, integrating them into the cell MFG Factory REVIT model

Review and approve detailed mechanical design documents, including airflow diagrams, P&ID’s, schematics, and system layouts

Conduct cost-benefit analyses to evaluate centralized vs. localized utility solutions (e.g., process cooling water, dust collection, HVAC)

Apply first principles to size, optimize, and verify critical components: ducting, piping, chillers, cooling towers, boilers, fans, air handling units, pumps, and heat exchangers

Collaborate with local factory engineering teams and regulatory authorities to ensure designs meet regional codes, standards, and permitting requirements

Partner with internal and external Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) teams throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring design integrity, technical alignment

Serve as the on-site technical lead during construction and commissioning, resolving critical issues in real time and ensuring system performance meets design intent

Develop and maintain internal standards, specifications, and best practices for mechanical utility systems based on lessons learned and continuous improvement

Job Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience with proven technical leadership

8+ years of hands-on experience in large-scale facility mechanical systems design, preferably in high-precision manufacturing environments such as cell production or semiconductors

Proven experience in cleanroom / dryroom design, including environmental control, particle management, and pressure differentials

Expertise in 3D modeling using Revit, with strong proficiency in AutoCAD 2D

Experience with pipe flow and system modeling tools preferred (e.g., AFT Pipeflow, Aspen HYSYS, or equivalent)

Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical projects through full lifecycle, from concept to commissioning, with strong organizational and documentation skills

Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, able to influence cross-functional teams, explain technical concepts clearly, and resolve conflicts constructively

Detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to engineering excellence and continuous improvement

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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