What to Expect
Tesla’s Cell Qualification team is looking for a skilled and motivated team lead (staff test engineer or associate manager). The team’s mission is to validate lifetime and reliability performance of cells against requirements and standards. The team thus contributes to design and product validations. We’re looking for a highly motivated leader with strong technical fundamentals, hands-on experience in cell testing, and a passion for problem-solving in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will lead test initiatives, improve methodologies, and mentor junior engineers, while influencing design of next-generation battery cells through data-driven insights. As an industry leading company, Tesla offers the opportunity to work on industry leading technology in a fast paced, dynamic, and high visibility role.
What You'll Do-
Participate in as much testing as time allows, in order to understand test equipment and product behavior and become grounded in lab operations.
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Serve as the senior technical authority for questions and problems.
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Manage lab resources, budgets, and workflows to drive efficiency, quality improvements, and innovation in test methodologies.
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Define test plans, articles, methods and equipment; propose design of experiments to better understand observations.
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Process raw data into meaningful conclusions; perform thorough documentation. Share high-quality reports with internal technical teams, external suppliers, and occasionally to executives.
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Conceptualize, design, assemble and commission test benches and associated software environments. Perform risk assessments, review norms & standards to ensure that equipment designs comply with Health, Safety, CE and Environmental standards.
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Maintain high test throughput/efficiency and data quality. Drive globally aligned improvement as needed. Collaborate with internal or external stakeholders to make improvements.
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Serve as a team leader: Allocate, manage and control tasks, goals and responsibilities and hold team accountable. Be responsible for the lab space, equipment, safety, quality, timeliness and morale.
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Train staff to operate and troubleshoot test equipment; ensure training content was learned.
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Enforcement of and compliance with occupational health & safety; chemical & environmental, electrical protection guidelines. If needed, introduce and implement relevant measures e.g. through creation of risk assessments.
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Own and allocate organizational tasks & responsibilities like creation & maintenance of procedures, SOPs, standards, equipment, inspections, lab commissioning, facilities, maintenance and staff trainings.
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Ability to work with hazardous materials, high-voltage and other hazardous energy using mandated PPE and procedures after having received training.
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Other tasks as required.
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A technical background in battery cell testing and development. Strong knowledge of cell degradation mechanisms of cells and be familiar with chemical, electrochemical, and lifetime testing techniques.
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Engineering Degree or PhD with hands-on mindset and hands-on experience.
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Proven track record as a hands-on test engineer (test planning, development, execution, inspections, root cause analysis, data processing, report writing) with experiences from which junior staff can learn from.
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>4 Years of relevant work experience including at least 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role. Proven achievements in coaching and development of people.
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Strong organizational and strategic thinking skills, with experience in budgeting, resource allocation, and driving quality/efficiency projects in a lab or testing environment.
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Ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment with new technologies, equipment and processes.
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Analytical, structured, independent, team and goal-oriented work style combined with high flexibility.
Additional Preferred Skills
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Experience with setup and commissioning equipment including risk assessments and acceptance testing.
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Coding experience with Python, Pytest, Git, and/or C is a plus.
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Driving license Class B valid in Germany is a plus.
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Fluent German language skills are a plus.
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Experience with application and enforcement of German standards for safety (ASR/TRGS/TRBS/DGUV/VDE/DIN etc.) and proven ability to transfer standards into actionable tasks and outcomes is a plus.
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.
