Staff Mechanical Design Engineer, Automated Test Equipment
Tesla Motors, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, United States
What to Expect We are looking for a highly motivated and hands‑on Staff Mechanical Engineer to join the Manufacturing Test Engineering team – part of the “machine that builds the machine.” This team designs and builds robust, data‑driven test systems for Tesla’s power electronics used in vehicles, energy storage, charging solutions, and humanoid robots. The ideal candidate is detail‑oriented, organized, and thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑responsibility environment. They take pride in hands‑on problem solving, have strong analytical skills, and are eager to learn and share knowledge. This role requires flexibility and a willingness to travel both domestically and internationally to support equipment development, deployment, and collaboration with global teams.
This position plays a key role in shaping the quality and performance of Tesla’s core technologies and can be based in either Palo Alto, CA, Reno, NV, or Toronto, ON.
What You’ll Do Lead the mechanical design of automated test equipment, including architecture definition, detailed CAD modeling, and pneumatic schematics. Verify designs through structural and thermal FEA, CFD, and tolerance stack‑up analysis.
Own the equipment design lifecycle, roadmap, and procurement strategy. Establish frameworks for design automation and standardisation to accelerate the timeline from concept to build.
Act as the primary liaison between Product Design, Manufacturing Test, and Manufacturing Engineering teams.
Guide junior and senior engineers in evaluating machine architectures to ensure solutions are reliable, manufacturable, and optimised.
Select and integrate commercial components (sensors, servos, actuators) and conduct design reviews to ensure simplicity, robustness, and ease of assembly.
Oversee the building, debugging, validation, and duplication of equipment, ensuring a smooth transition to production.
What You’ll Bring 8+ years of experience as Mechanical/Mechatronics/Automation Engineer with focus in automation, machine design, robotics, or product development.
Knowledgeable in solid mechanics, pneumatics, hydraulics, dynamics, material selection, prototyping, testing methods, everyday machining, and fabrication processes.
Solid understanding of drafting standards and the application of GD&T (e.g., ASME Y14.5).
Exposure to a wide variety of test systems, production machinery, industrial sensors, actuators, and equipment (pogo‑pins, pressure transducers, temperature controllers, current meters, etc.).
Versed in SolidWorks, PDM, and Ansys, or similar CAD/CAE software.
Strong presentation and communication skills.
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent experience.
Compensation and Benefits Benefits Along with competitive pay, as a full‑time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
Medical plans > 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 HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High‑Deductible medical plan with HSA
Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs
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 (90 day waiting period)
Employee Assistance Program
Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly 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 $130,400 – $234,000 /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.
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This position plays a key role in shaping the quality and performance of Tesla’s core technologies and can be based in either Palo Alto, CA, Reno, NV, or Toronto, ON.
What You’ll Do Lead the mechanical design of automated test equipment, including architecture definition, detailed CAD modeling, and pneumatic schematics. Verify designs through structural and thermal FEA, CFD, and tolerance stack‑up analysis.
Own the equipment design lifecycle, roadmap, and procurement strategy. Establish frameworks for design automation and standardisation to accelerate the timeline from concept to build.
Act as the primary liaison between Product Design, Manufacturing Test, and Manufacturing Engineering teams.
Guide junior and senior engineers in evaluating machine architectures to ensure solutions are reliable, manufacturable, and optimised.
Select and integrate commercial components (sensors, servos, actuators) and conduct design reviews to ensure simplicity, robustness, and ease of assembly.
Oversee the building, debugging, validation, and duplication of equipment, ensuring a smooth transition to production.
What You’ll Bring 8+ years of experience as Mechanical/Mechatronics/Automation Engineer with focus in automation, machine design, robotics, or product development.
Knowledgeable in solid mechanics, pneumatics, hydraulics, dynamics, material selection, prototyping, testing methods, everyday machining, and fabrication processes.
Solid understanding of drafting standards and the application of GD&T (e.g., ASME Y14.5).
Exposure to a wide variety of test systems, production machinery, industrial sensors, actuators, and equipment (pogo‑pins, pressure transducers, temperature controllers, current meters, etc.).
Versed in SolidWorks, PDM, and Ansys, or similar CAD/CAE software.
Strong presentation and communication skills.
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent experience.
Compensation and Benefits Benefits Along with competitive pay, as a full‑time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
Medical plans > 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 HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High‑Deductible medical plan with HSA
Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs
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 (90 day waiting period)
Employee Assistance Program
Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly 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 $130,400 – $234,000 /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.
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