Staff Cell Thermal Modeling Engineer

Job Description

Tesla is seeking a simulation expert to lead the technical execution and strategic direction of the Cell Thermal Modeling team. In this pivotal role, you will serve as the technical authority for Tesla’s next-generation cell modeling efforts, bridging the gap between fundamental physics, cell design, and vehicle-level performance.

You will act as a primary technical lead, providing high-level guidance to unblock the team on complex theoretical challenges while managing project timelines and resource allocation across multiple high-priority programs. You will architect the transition toward first-principles, physics-based parameterization and ensure the team delivers critical insights that drive design decisions for both in-house and vendor cell programs.

Job Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Strategy: Define and enforce the technical standards for the team, specifically driving the methodological shift from empirical curve-fitting to physics-based component parameterization
• Team Mentorship & "Unblocking": Serve as the primary technical escalation point for the team. Provide deep technical guidance to Senior Engineers to resolve roadblocks in numerical methods, code architecture, or complex thermal phenomena (e.g., hysteresis in non-ideal chemistries)
• Program Management: Coordinate resources and prioritize tasks across conflicting deadlines for both external vendor programs and internal in-house cell development. Ensure modeling milestones align with critical vehicle program gates
• Advanced Model Architecture: Architect the frameworks for automated validation and simulation workflows. Review and approve code structure (Python/MATLAB) and modeling methodologies to ensure scalability and transferability
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Act as the primary liaison between the thermal modeling team and Cell Design, Manufacturing, and Vehicle Systems teams. Translate high-level program goals into actionable modeling tasks
• Design Influence: Proactively identify thermal risks and opportunities in early-stage designs. Lead feasibility studies for major architectural changes and material selections
• Communication: Guide the team to synthesize complex technical data into clear, strategic recommendations for executive leadership and program managers

Job Requirements

• Education: Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or equivalent experience
• Experience: 7+ years of experience in physics-based thermal modeling or computational engineering, with a demonstrated track record of technical leadership
• Technical Mastery: Expert-level knowledge of numerical methods (optimization, ODEs/PDEs), heat transfer, and thermodynamics
• Project Leadership: Proven track record of managing technical projects, creating timelines, and balancing resources in a resource-constrained, multi-project environment
• Advanced architecture skills in Python, MATLAB, or Simulink (ability to review and guide code development)
• Expertise in CAE packages (COMSOL preferred, or ANSYS-FLUENT/Star-CCM+)
• Mentorship: Demonstrated ability to elevate the technical output of a team, mentor junior/senior engineers, and foster a collaborative, innovative culture
• Mindset: A strategic thinker who can balance immediate "firefighting" on critical programs with long-term capability development