What to Expect
Tesla is seeking a seasoned and highly technical Manager in Manufacturing Engineering, to lead the Assembly and Test team for Optimus. This is a critical leadership role for someone who is humble, hungry, and smart — a hands-on people manager who is the best at what they do and can rapidly learn and adapt to the unique demands of robotics manufacturing. You will own the end-to-end product launch journey, from DFM through line commissioning and rate ramp, while building and developing a world-class engineering team in Austin. If you thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment and are passionate about building the future of humanoid robotics at scale, this role is for you.
What You'll Do-
Build and Lead a High-Performing Team: Recruit, develop, and retain a team of manufacturing engineers who embody Tesla's values - humble, hungry, and smart. Set clear expectations, drive accountability, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and disciplined execution
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Drive End-to-End Product Launches: Own the full product launch lifecycle for Optimus Assembly and Test - from early-stage concept through prototype, pilot, and high-volume production ramp — ensuring on-time delivery at designed rate
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Lead DFM and Design Simplification: Partner with hardware and design engineering teams early in the product development cycle to drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) initiatives. Simplify product designs to enable mass manufacturability, with a bias toward innovative solutions that reduce complexity and cost
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Develop Processes and Equipment: Lead the development, specification, procurement, installation, and commissioning of assembly and test equipment. Ensure lines are brought up on schedule and validated to meet quality and throughput requirements
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Ramp Lines to Designed Rate: Drive line balancing, capacity planning, and bottleneck resolution to ramp assembly and test lines to designed production rates. Implement robust process controls and monitoring to sustain rate and quality
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Communicate Effectively Across All Levels: Deliver clear, concise, and data-driven updates to senior leadership and executives. Proactively surface risks, propose solutions, and align stakeholders across cross-functional teams including Design, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations
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Champion Process Discipline and Continuous Improvement: Model and enforce engineering rigor and operational discipline within the team. Apply first-principles thinking to eliminate waste, reduce cycle time, and drive scalable automation where appropriate
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Ensure Seamless Handover to Operations: Develop comprehensive documentation, work instructions, and training materials to enable a smooth transition from engineering to sustaining operations teams
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Proven People Leadership: Demonstrated experience managing and growing engineering teams. Known for building cohesive, high-performing teams and holding yourself and others to a high standard of excellence and accountability
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Strong background in mechanical assembly, electromechanical integration, and test system development
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Proficiency in CAD tools (CATIA and AutoCAD preferred)
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Familiarity with automation equipment, control systems, torque tools, and communication protocols (PLC, HMI, SCADA)
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Hands-on experience with quality control matrices, testing protocols, and troubleshooting methodologies
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End-to-End Launch Experience: Proven track record of launching new products from concept through high-volume production, including DFM, process/equipment development, line installation, commissioning, and rate ramp
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Robotics or Complex Electromechanical Manufacturing: Experience in robotics, automotive, aerospace, or similarly complex manufacturing environments. Ability to learn and adapt quickly to the unique challenges of humanoid robotics manufacturing
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Executive Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present clearly and confidently to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
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Self-Driven and Disciplined: Highly self-motivated with strong personal discipline. Able to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and drive results in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
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Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience
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
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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
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
