Mechanical & Process Commissioning Lead

Job Description

Tesla was founded in 2003 with the goal of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy and protecting the planet Earth. Through solar energy, batteries, and electric vehicles, we are building a world of amazing abundance.

At Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, we manufacture the Model Y, and starting in 2027, we’ll produce everything from battery cells to electric vehicles. This is unique in Europe. Our international team consists of over 12,000 employees from 130 countries. We hire talent at all skill levels - prior experience in the automotive industry is not required. Would you like to help write the next chapter in Tesla’s success story and work at one of Germany’s most modern workplaces? Then this is the right place for you!

We at Gigafactory Berlin Design and Construction are looking for a Commissioning Lead to join an energetic and vibrant environment. In this role, you will establish, build, and lead a high-performing commissioning team that supports multiple projects from concept through to completion. Your focus will be on developing robust processes, procedures, and standards that ensure consistent, efficient, and high-quality commissioning outcomes. You will bring strong technical knowledge of mechanical, process, and utility systems and be ready to step in and commission systems hands-on when the situation demands it.

Job Responsibilities

• Build and lead a commissioning team, including hiring, mentoring, performance management, and professional development of team members.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve commissioning processes, procedures, templates, and standards to support multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide input during design reviews and align with Technical Services, Engineering, and other stakeholders on system requirements and commissioning strategies.
• Develop commissioning scopes, checklists, and packages, ensuring they are delivered efficiently by the team and aligned with procurement and project controls.
• Oversee and, when required, personally execute commissioning of complex factory systems - including mechanical dry systems (HVAC, dust collection, exhaust, etc.), process systems (water treatment, natural gas, liquid nitrogen, etc.), and utility systems (compressed air, domestic water, sewage, etc.) - ensuring your team delivers safely, on schedule, and to the required quality.
• Set expectations for supplier and subcontractor commissioning performance, review their deliverables, and ensure documentation submitted by third parties meets Tesla's standards before acceptance.
• Drive value engineering and schedule/cost optimization initiatives across projects, presenting recommendations to executive leadership.
• Establish and enforce quality standards, documentation requirements, and handover processes (from early access to final acceptance) for all projects.
• Interface at a senior level with Engineering, Construction, Technical Services, Manufacturing, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment and resolve cross-functional challenges.
• Ensure compliance with German regulations, technical standards, and permit requirements across all commissioning activities.
• Escalate critical issues to senior construction leadership while empowering the team to handle day-to-day execution.
  

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's and/or master's degrees in mechanical engineering, process engineering, or a related technical field, and/or evidence of equivalent professional experience.
• 8+ years of relevant commissioning experience on complex industrial or manufacturing projects, including at least 3 years in a leadership or team-building capacity.
• Proven experience building, managing, and developing commissioning teams.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement commissioning processes, procedures, and standards for large-scale industrial environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical, process, and utility systems - sufficient to guide your team and step in hands-on when required.
• Experience overseeing third-party suppliers and subcontractors in a commissioning or construction environment.
• Strong knowledge of German technical standards, regulations, and permit requirements relevant to industrial commissioning.
• Strong people-management and leadership skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; German language skills are a strong advantage.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office and Autodesk tools.
• Ability to work within a high-performance, cross-functional organization with extremely tight timelines and aggressive goals.
  

Not only do we offer you an attractive compensation package, but also access to a wide range of perks and benefits. For example:

• Our own medical center, a gym and an in-house barbershop
• E-bike charging stations in front of the factory, more than 500 free charging stations for electric cars, a bike leasing program, free use of the nextbike bike-sharing fleet, as well as numerous free shuttle bus routes to Grünheide and the surrounding areas
• You’ll receive subsidized canteen meals, a free S-membership at the Urban Sports Club (discount from M+) and you can sign up for many language courses
• We also offer all employees a wide range of insurance options, such as a company pension plan, as well as discounts on private insurance and legal protection insurance

These and many other benefits await you. Join Tesla and help us build a world of amazing abundance.

Candidates are expected to uphold and actively promote sustainability principles in their daily work, operating in line with Tesla Global Environmental, Health, Safety & Security (EHS&S) Policy and EMAS requirements, fostering a culture of continuous environmental improvement.