Technical Program Manager, Cell Formation
Tesla Motors, Inc., Fremont, CA, United States
What to Expect
Tesla is re-thinking how batteries are made from the ground up. We're designing new factories, new equipment, new processes, and new software to rapidly scale battery manufacturing, globally. The primary bottleneck to Tesla's future expansion (and the transition to sustainable transport and energy storage) is our ability to produce and procure batteries - that's why we're innovating in-house, with our collection of world-class engineers, to redefine the industry. Formation is a highly automated, high-volume manufacturing process that uses in-house built equipment, firmware, and software to deliver an optimized and efficient production system.
We're looking for a highly motivated Technical Program Manager who will drive the development of the Mechanical Equipment, firmware and software services that runs the mass production formation process. In this role you will interface with a team of engineers to help understand needs, quantify impact, and prioritize efforts to effectively deliver a world‑class manufacturing system. You will work with peers across the 4680 Cell organization to make data-driven decisions on project planning and execution by tracking key formation performance metrics to ensure firmware/software teams are focused on and efficiently delivering meaningful features. Moreover, you will help to coordinate development efforts with other teams (e.g. production, equipment, process development, controls, etc.) to make sure that projects are efficiently executed from initial planning to deployment to mass production lines around the world.
What You’ll Do
Lead end-to-end execution of high-impact manufacturing line automation projects—including ASRS (Automated storage and retrieval system), Cell formation charge equipment, conveyors, Cell packout systems, elevators, and automation—from concept and design through commissioning, ramp‑up, and full production
Serve as the primary technical bridge between external stakeholders (Tesla business leaders, production, operations, and cross‑functional teams) and engineering organizations, translating business requirements into clear, scoped projects and delivering timely updates to senior leadership
Rapidly process changes to cell build plans, accurately assessing their impact on timelines, resources, and deliverables, and proactively pivot priorities and plans as needed
Drive vendor selection, sourcing strategy, and supplier relationships by evaluating partners on technical capability, quality, risk, cost, and delivery performance
Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation to meet aggressive Start of Production (SOP) targets and overall program milestones
Define technical scope, capacity requirements, system architecture, and performance targets for semi-automated and fully automated production lines
Coordinate closely with hardware design, manufacturing, supply chain, facilities, reliability, compliance, cloud/embedded software, and service teams to ensure seamless integration and on-time delivery
Identify, communicate, and mitigate strategic risks, including supplier, geopolitical, technical integration, and resource challenges—while continuously optimizing processes for improved throughput, efficiency, yield, and reliability
Establish and improve structured processes for risk management, change management, prioritization, and cross‑team communication to enhance overall execution velocity and predictability
Own full financial accountability for capital equipment projects, including budgeting, procurement (PO releases), cost tracking, and variance management
What You’ll Bring
2+ years' experience leading and/or managing teams of software or firmware engineers and their development
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in technical discipline, proof of exceptional skills in related fields, or equivalent
Can demonstrate ability to meet deadlines and perform under high pressure. A bias for action
Demonstrated ability to lead others, either directly (experience as a manager) or indirectly (leading a project and influencing external teams to align to your vision)
Demonstrated understanding of hardware and software engineering development process
Demonstrated experience in the management of engineering projects through mass production or deployment
Excellent organization skills with meticulous attention to detail
Clear and concise communicator with excellent verbal and presentation skills
Fluent with common MS office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Curiosity to understand how the overall cell manufacturing, formation system (equipment, software/firmware, and people) works together to deliver high-quality cells
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 (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High‑Deductible 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 (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
$96,800 - $168,000/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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Tesla is re-thinking how batteries are made from the ground up. We're designing new factories, new equipment, new processes, and new software to rapidly scale battery manufacturing, globally. The primary bottleneck to Tesla's future expansion (and the transition to sustainable transport and energy storage) is our ability to produce and procure batteries - that's why we're innovating in-house, with our collection of world-class engineers, to redefine the industry. Formation is a highly automated, high-volume manufacturing process that uses in-house built equipment, firmware, and software to deliver an optimized and efficient production system.
We're looking for a highly motivated Technical Program Manager who will drive the development of the Mechanical Equipment, firmware and software services that runs the mass production formation process. In this role you will interface with a team of engineers to help understand needs, quantify impact, and prioritize efforts to effectively deliver a world‑class manufacturing system. You will work with peers across the 4680 Cell organization to make data-driven decisions on project planning and execution by tracking key formation performance metrics to ensure firmware/software teams are focused on and efficiently delivering meaningful features. Moreover, you will help to coordinate development efforts with other teams (e.g. production, equipment, process development, controls, etc.) to make sure that projects are efficiently executed from initial planning to deployment to mass production lines around the world.
What You’ll Do
Lead end-to-end execution of high-impact manufacturing line automation projects—including ASRS (Automated storage and retrieval system), Cell formation charge equipment, conveyors, Cell packout systems, elevators, and automation—from concept and design through commissioning, ramp‑up, and full production
Serve as the primary technical bridge between external stakeholders (Tesla business leaders, production, operations, and cross‑functional teams) and engineering organizations, translating business requirements into clear, scoped projects and delivering timely updates to senior leadership
Rapidly process changes to cell build plans, accurately assessing their impact on timelines, resources, and deliverables, and proactively pivot priorities and plans as needed
Drive vendor selection, sourcing strategy, and supplier relationships by evaluating partners on technical capability, quality, risk, cost, and delivery performance
Develop and maintain detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocation to meet aggressive Start of Production (SOP) targets and overall program milestones
Define technical scope, capacity requirements, system architecture, and performance targets for semi-automated and fully automated production lines
Coordinate closely with hardware design, manufacturing, supply chain, facilities, reliability, compliance, cloud/embedded software, and service teams to ensure seamless integration and on-time delivery
Identify, communicate, and mitigate strategic risks, including supplier, geopolitical, technical integration, and resource challenges—while continuously optimizing processes for improved throughput, efficiency, yield, and reliability
Establish and improve structured processes for risk management, change management, prioritization, and cross‑team communication to enhance overall execution velocity and predictability
Own full financial accountability for capital equipment projects, including budgeting, procurement (PO releases), cost tracking, and variance management
What You’ll Bring
2+ years' experience leading and/or managing teams of software or firmware engineers and their development
Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in technical discipline, proof of exceptional skills in related fields, or equivalent
Can demonstrate ability to meet deadlines and perform under high pressure. A bias for action
Demonstrated ability to lead others, either directly (experience as a manager) or indirectly (leading a project and influencing external teams to align to your vision)
Demonstrated understanding of hardware and software engineering development process
Demonstrated experience in the management of engineering projects through mass production or deployment
Excellent organization skills with meticulous attention to detail
Clear and concise communicator with excellent verbal and presentation skills
Fluent with common MS office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Curiosity to understand how the overall cell manufacturing, formation system (equipment, software/firmware, and people) works together to deliver high-quality cells
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 (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High‑Deductible 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 (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
$96,800 - $168,000/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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