Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, New Vehicle Architecture, New Programs Engineer at Tesla California

Comunidade Metodista; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with employer match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Tesla in California seeks a Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer to own a vehicle system and drive early architecture from concept to prototype release.

You’ll collaborate across interior, exterior, chassis, and powertrain teams, delivering integrated designs and first-principles solutions. Responsibilities include developing concepts, documenting requirements, and defending design choices in reviews, while using CATIA to shape future production vehicles.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience (OEM/supplier, motorsport)
• Broad experience with various automotive systems (such as chassis, powertrain, thermals, structures, lighting) and prototyping
• First-principles knowledge of various vehicle attributes
• Proficiency in CAD software using parametric elements and knowledge-based engineering tools
• Strong understanding of GD&T
• Ability to interpret CAE results and integrate recommendations into product designs
• Must be proactive in improving processes and driving projects
• Detail-oriented personality with effective documentation and reporting
• Excellent communicator, resourceful, and mindful of time management

Responsibilities

• Own a specific vehicle system and/or integration during initial development
• Architect, mature and develop vehicle systems from scope to design & release of prototype components
• Capture, document, and trade-off internal and external requirements
• Generate concept proposals aligned with program scope and attribute requirements
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, and users to create new solutions
• Down select solutions based on vehicle attributes, cost and weight
• Propose and defend solutions in engineering and studio design reviews
• Develop in CATIA 3D proposed system solutions and align interfaces with chassis, body, interior, exterior, thermal and powertrain components
• Design, release, and build components for early-phase physical prototyping
• Innovate, develop, and improve engineering development processes

Skills

First-principles knowledge

CAe results interpretation

GD&T

CAD proficiency

Proactive in improving processes

Detail-oriented

Excellent communicator

Time management

Systems thinking

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

CATIA

Job description

Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, New Vehicle Architecture, New Programs Engineer

Tesla. California.

What To Expect

The New Programs Engineering team works at the front-end of vehicle design and development, working in an iterative environment to study, simulate, build, and prove Tesla’s future generation of vehicles. This position requires frequent interaction with our Interior/Exterior Design, Human Factor & Ergonomics, and Vehicle Engineering production teams, most closely with Chassis, Powertrain, Body-in-White, Low/High-Voltage, NVH, Durability, and CAE analyses. You will be part of the team that creates and executes world-class new vehicle architectures. You will utilize your expertise in vehicle systems and vehicle attributes and develop as a full vehicle engineer – designing and delivering systems rather than just components. This is a mechanical design engineering position where product design expertise and a fundamental, first principles approach to problem solving are far more important than extensive project engineering or automotive industry specific experience.

What You'll Do

• Operate as a standalone role and responsible for owning a specific vehicle system (examples could include chassis, seating, mechanisms of various kinds, lighting) and/or integration of various systems during the initial development
• Architect, mature and develop vehicle systems from initial product scope and concepts through to design & release of prototype level components and systems that represent future production vehicles
• Capture, document, and trade-off internal and external (regulatory) requirements
• Generate concept proposals in alignment with the new vehicle program scope and attribute requirements
• Brainstorm and collaborate with engineers, designers, and users in creating new solutions for automotive applications
• Down select solutions generated based on quantifiable vehicle attributes, system cost and weight
• Propose and defend solutions in engineering and studio design review meetings
• Develop in CATIA 3D proposed system solutions and align/resolve (as part of a small interdisciplinary team) interfaces and clearances with chassis, body structure, interior, exterior, thermal and powertrain components
• Design, release, and build components for early-phase physical prototyping to validate the targeted attributes
• Innovate, develop, and improve engineering development processes continuously

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering experience (OEM/supplier, motorsport)
• Broad experience with various automotive systems (such as chassis, powertrain, thermals, structures, lighting) and prototyping
• First-principles knowledge of various vehicle attributes
• Proficiency in CAD (Computer Aided Design) software using parametric elements and knowledge-based engineering tools
• Strong understanding of GD&T
• Ability to interpret CAE results and integrate recommendations into product designs
• Must be proactive in improving processes and driving projects, examples of this should be provided
• Detail-oriented personality with effective documentation and reporting
• Excellent communicator, resourceful, and mindful of time management

Benefits

• Aetna PPO and HSA plans: > 2 medical plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program

Expected Compensation $88,084 - $196,194/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.