Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Hydrogeologist - Lithium Refining

Water Resources EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeRobstown, TX, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Hydrogeology, Geology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Experience characterizing brine systems and estimating subsurface resources; lithium experience is strongly preferred.
Hands-on experience with well testing, well design, and numerical groundwater modeling, such as MODFLOW with density and solute transport.
Working knowledge of geochemistry applied to brine and produced-water systems.
Familiarity with Safe Drinking Water Act Underground Injection Control regulations, water rights, and mineral law as applied to brine resources.
Experience supporting permitting processes for energy or industrial projects.
Field supervision, data management, and technical writing skills.
Experience engaging regulators and cross-functional stakeholders.
Proficiency with geographic information systems, groundwater modeling software, and well log interpretation tools.

Responsibilities

Evaluate mineral rights holdings for lithium-bearing brines and underground waters by reviewing well logs, production data, geochemical assays, and geophysical data to characterize brine chemistry and aquifer and reservoir properties.
Design and oversee exploration and production testing, including drilling, core sampling, pumping tests, fluid sampling, and density-affected flow and transport modeling.
Build three-dimensional geologic and numerical groundwater models to estimate lithium resources and reserves in line with industry reporting standards, including NI 43-101 and JORC.
Assess mineral, water, and produced-water rights ownership nuances, and support lease reviews and correlative rights analyses.
Evaluate lithium extraction feasibility, including Direct Lithium Extraction, and assess hydrogeological impacts on surrounding systems.
Characterize aquifers; site, design, and test process water supply wells for refinery operations, including capture zone modeling and long-term sustainable yield analysis.
Characterize deep injection zones for wastewater disposal wells by evaluating injectivity, capacity, geochemical compatibility, and seismic risk while protecting Underground Sources of Drinking Water.
Design well construction, casing, and cementing programs, and develop monitoring plans for water supply and injection wells.
Compile technical exhibits and support permit applications for water wells, water rights, mineral leases, and Class I/II Underground Injection Control permits; engage directly with the Environmental Protection Agency, state agencies, and water boards to drive approvals and ongoing compliance.
Partner cross-functionally with reservoir engineers, geologists, environmental and legal teams, operations, and finance/strategy to support asset valuation and development decisions.

Desired Qualifications

A Professional Geologist (P.G.) license is preferred.
Lithium experience is strongly preferred.

Category	Manufacturing
Location	Robstown, Texas
Requisition ID	276717
Type	Full-time

Job Description

<div class="MSWordContent"><p>Tesla's mission depends on securing the critical minerals and resources needed to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. We are looking for a Hydrogeologist to join a multidisciplinary team supporting mineral resource evaluation, refinery operations, and regulatory compliance across our energy, mineral, and industrial assets. In this role, you will investigate subsurface water resources — from lithium-bearing brines to process water supply and wastewater injection — helping Tesla unlock new sources of critical materials, secure reliable water for operations, and stay ahead of regulatory requirements.</div>

Job Responsibilities

Evaluate mineral rights holdings for lithium-bearing brines and underground waters, reviewing well logs, production data, geochemical assays, and geophysical data to characterize brine chemistry and aquifer/reservoir properties

Design and oversee exploration and production testing, including drilling, core sampling, pumping tests, fluid sampling, and density-affected flow and transport modeling

Build 3D geologic and numerical groundwater models to estimate lithium resources and reserves in line with industry reporting standards (e.g., NI 43-101, JORC)

Assess mineral, water, and produced-water rights ownership nuances, and support lease reviews and correlative rights analyses

Evaluate lithium extraction feasibility, including Direct Lithium Extraction, and assess hydrogeological impacts on surrounding systems

Characterize aquifers and site, design, and test process water supply wells for refinery operations, including capture zone modeling and long-term sustainable yield analysis

Characterize deep injection zones for wastewater disposal wells, evaluating injectivity, capacity, geochemical compatibility, and seismic risk while protecting Underground Sources of Drinking Water (USDWs)

Design well construction, casing, and cementing programs, and develop monitoring plans for water supply and injection wells

Compile technical exhibits and support permit applications for water wells, water rights, mineral leases, and Class I/II UIC permits, engaging directly with regulators (EPA, state agencies, water boards) to drive approvals and ongoing compliance

Partner cross-functionally with reservoir engineers, geologists, environmental and legal teams, operations, and finance/strategy to support asset valuation and development decisions

Job Requirements

Bachelor's or Equivalent Experience in Hydrogeology, Geology, or a related field, or equivalent experience

Professional Geologist (P.G.) license preferred

Experience characterizing brine systems and estimating subsurface resources; lithium experience strongly preferred

Hands-on experience with well testing, well design, and numerical groundwater modeling (e.g., MODFLOW with density/solute transport)

Working knowledge of geochemistry as applied to brine and produced water systems

Familiarity with Safe Drinking Water Act UIC regulations, water rights, and mineral law as applied to brine resources

Experience supporting permitting processes for energy or industrial projects

Strong field supervision, data management, and technical writing skills

Excellent communication skills, with experience engaging regulators and cross-functional stakeholders

Proficiency with GIS, groundwater modeling software, and well log interpretation tools

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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