Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Lead Failure Analysis Engineer - Mechanical / Mechatronics

Mechanical Maintenance and Reliability EngineeringUpdated on Nov 10

Full-timeBerlin, GermanyNo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Materials Science, or equivalent experience.
Three to five years of industry experience in failure analysis, reliability, product development, or a related hands-on engineering role; this is not a new-graduate role.
Hands-on experience with optical microscopes, X-ray inspection, and teardown of mechanical or electromechanical assemblies.
Ability to disassemble an assembly into subcomponents and explain the components and how they work.
Ability to fully disassemble and reassemble electromechanical assemblies without losing function or form.
Experience with mechanical sample preparation using saws, grinders, or polishers, and with documenting findings through photographs, optical images, and written reports.
Strong written and spoken English, with the ability to clearly explain failure mechanisms to design and manufacturing stakeholders.
Ability to work in a structured manner in a fast-paced laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the failure analysis team and laboratory, managing operations, laboratory workflows, equipment, and the two direct reports: the electrical failure analysis engineer and the failure analysis technician.
Drive failure analysis of electromechanical assemblies from initial report through root cause and countermeasure, including failure confirmation, recreation, and teardown inspection.
Use optical microscopes, two-dimensional X-ray, and related inspection tools to characterize defects in mechanical and electromechanical hardware.
Prepare mechanical samples through sectioning, grinding, and polishing so failure interfaces can be inspected, and document findings.
Disassemble and reassemble electromechanical assemblies while preserving their original form and function.
Design and run experiments to test hypotheses, independently or with the technician.
Document inspections, replication tests, and teardowns in written reports, images, and the project tracking system.
Work with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and suppliers on containment and corrective action.
Bring prior failure experience into design reviews and Design Failure Mode and Effects Analyses.

Desired Qualifications

A background in Materials Science.
Experience with tensile testing, pressure or leak testing, machine shop equipment, Controller Area Network or Local Interconnect Network, and oscilloscopes.

Category	Engineering & Information Technology
Location	Berlin, BE
Requisition ID	286892
Type	Full-time

Job Description

<div class="MSWordContent"><p>We are looking for a Failure Analysis Engineer to lead the failure analysis team in Berlin (Tesla Engineering Germany). This is the team lead. The electrical failure analysis engineer and the failure analysis technician report to you. The team finds root cause and contributing factors, so Tesla can reduce field, production, and development issues. You work with design, manufacturing, quality, and other engineering teams, across vehicle and energy products, including current models and products still in development. The role is hands-on. You own electromechanical failure analysis yourself, and you run the lab. You confirm and recreate failures, lead teardowns, and use optical microscopy, X-ray, and mechanical sample preparation to identify failure mechanisms. You report root cause and propose countermeasures with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and the other failure analysis engineers. The right person has several years of industry experience, is comfortable taking assemblies apart and putting them back together, and can connect what they see under a microscope or on an X-ray to how the part was designed and built. A materials science background is preferred. </div>

Job Responsibilities

Lead the failure analysis team and laboratory. Manage operations, lab workflows, equipment, and the two people who report to you: the electrical failure analysis engineer and the failure analysis technician.
Drive failure analysis of electromechanical assemblies from the first report through root cause and countermeasure, including failure confirmation, recreation, and teardown inspection.
Use optical microscopes, 2D X-ray, and related inspection tools to characterize defects in mechanical and electromechanical hardware.
Prepare mechanical samples (sectioning, grinding, polishing) so failure interfaces can be inspected, and document what you find.
Disassemble and reassemble electromechanical assemblies while keeping the original form and function.
Design and run experiments to test a hypothesis, either yourself or with the technician.
Document inspections, replication tests, and teardowns in written reports, images, and the project tracking system.
Work with Design, Manufacturing, Quality, and suppliers on containment and corrective action.
Bring prior failure experience into design reviews and DFMEAs.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Materials Science, or equivalent experience. A materials science background is preferred.
3-5 years of industry experience in failure analysis, reliability, product development, or a related hands-on engineering role. This is not a new-graduate role.
Hands-on experience with optical microscopes, X-ray inspection, and teardown of mechanical or electromechanical assemblies.
Able to take an assembly down to its subcomponents and explain what the parts are and how they work.
Able to fully disassemble and reassemble electromechanical assemblies without losing function or form.
Experience with mechanical sample preparation (saws, grinders, polishers) and with clear documentation: photos, optical images, and written reports.
Strong written and spoken English. Able to explain a failure mechanism clearly to design and manufacturing stakeholders.
Self-driven, structured, and comfortable in a fast-paced lab.
Preferred: tensile test, pressure or leak test, machine shop equipment, CAN or LIN, and oscilloscope.

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

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at Tesla

See more jobs