Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Staff Quality Engineer

Quality EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeAustin, TX, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

At least 6 years of experience in quality, manufacturing, or process engineering, with direct experience in electric drive units, electric motors, power electronics, or high-volume precision assembly.
Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional quality problem-solving using 8D, DMAIC, Shainin, or equivalent methods.
Deep fluency in PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC, PPAP/APQP, and GD&T.
A track record of building structure where there was none and owning a quality area rather than only executing within one.
A Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Materials) or equivalent experience.
Experience scaling a new program from launch through steady-state production.
Hands-on experience with stator winding, motor assembly, or inverter/power-electronics quality.
Ability to use SQL, Tableau, or EDW to turn production data into action.
Experience building and leading a team from the ground up.

Responsibilities

Own the quality plan for the full Drive Unit value stream, covering incoming and supplier quality, stator, inverter, and final assembly across all Austin vehicle programs.
Lead containment and root-cause resolution for Drive Unit escapes, apply 8D/5-Why discipline, and close the loop with permanent corrective action.
Build and mature Drive Unit PFMEAs, control plans, and inspection strategy, tying them to real failure modes and field data.
Partner with Manufacturing, Process, Design, and Supplier Quality to drive first-pass yield and reduce DPV.
Establish metrics, reviews, and escalation cadence that make Drive Unit quality visible and accountable.
Define roles, hire, develop, and lead the Drive Unit quality engineers and technicians.

Category	Manufacturing
Location	AUSTIN, Texas
Requisition ID	274932
Type	Full-time

Job Description

<p>The Drive Unit (DU) is the heart of the vehicle — and its quality determines range, reliability, NVH, and customer trust. We are looking for a Drive Unit Quality Engineering Lead to own DU quality end-to-end at Gigafactory Texas: from incoming components and supplier PPAP, through stator winding and inverter/power-electronics assembly, into drive unit final assembly, and across every Austin vehicle program. </p><p>This is a manager-track role. You will start by leading the DU quality function technically and cross-functionally, and grow into building and managing the dedicated DU Quality Engineering team. You will set the standard for how we detect, contain, and permanently eliminate drive unit defects before they ever reach a vehicle or a customer. </p>

Job Responsibilities

Own the quality plan for the full DU value stream: incoming/supplier, stator, inverter, and DU final assembly, across all Austin vehicle programs

Lead containment and root-cause resolution for DU escapes — drive the 8D/5-Why discipline and close the loop with permanent corrective action

Build and mature DU PFMEAs, control plans, and inspection strategy; tie them to real failure modes and field data

Partner with Manufacturing, Process, Design, and Supplier Quality to drive first-pass yield and reduce DPV

Stand up the metrics, reviews, and escalation cadence that make DU quality visible and accountable

Grow the team — define the roles, hire, develop, and lead the DU quality engineers and technicians

Job Requirements

6+ years in quality, manufacturing, or process engineering, with direct experience in electric drive units, electric motors, power electronics, or high-volume precision assembly

Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional quality problem-solving (8D, DMAIC, Shainin, or equivalent)

Deep fluency in PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC, PPAP/APQP, and GD&T

A track record of building structure where there was none — you've owned a quality area, not just executed within one

Bachelor's in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Materials) or equivalent experience

Experience scaling a new program from launch through steady-state production

Hands-on with stator winding, motor assembly, or inverter/power-electronics quality

Data-driven: comfortable with SQL/Tableau/EDW to turn production data into action

Experience building and leading a team from the ground up

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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