
Structural Engineering Lead
About the role
What to Expect
Tesla is looking for an experienced Structural Engineering Team Lead to join our Infrastructure Design Engineering team. As part of the EPC group, this team focuses on designing, collaborating, and building the first home of Optimus while continuing to support critical vehicle programs. This person will bring deep structural engineering expertise as a licensed structural engineer and combine it with managerial experience—balancing technical judgment with people leadership, resource planning, prioritization, and cross-functional coordination. They will have a thorough understanding of structural design and construction, with experience collaborating across Architectural and MEP disciplines. The ideal candidate can contribute technically while leading the team's delivery: improving workflows, enabling strong internal review practices, and communicating risk clearly to stakeholders on large, complex projects.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the structural engineering team through planning, prioritization, and day-to-day people and resource management, while remaining technically engaged
- Combine structural engineering expertise with managerial accountability for team capacity, workload balancing, and delivery commitments across active programs; escalate risks early and partner with stakeholders on sequencing and tradeoffs
- Establish and maintain internal cross-team design review practices so quality is upheld through peer and interdisciplinary review, in partnership with the team's Engineers of Record
- Continually develop and improve project workflows, standards, and handoffs so designs are consistent, and constructible
- Provide structural technical expertise and guidance to the CSA design engineering team and other groups within the organization, collaborating with EORs, AORs, and partner disciplines
- Partner with the team on strategic decisions about technologies, materials, and processes to deliver reliable, cost-effective buildings and construction
- Ensure designs satisfy construction requirements and comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations
- Support construction activities through field review coordination and design guidance as needed
- Mentor engineers and support career growth; foster a collaborative culture with clear ownership and constructive review
- Guide others and take ownership of delivery outcomes on projects of varying complexity
What You’ll Bring
- Degree in Civil, Structural, or Architectural Engineering, or equivalent experience
- Licensed Structural Engineer required (SE where applicable; PE with structural authority/licensure as required by jurisdiction)
- At least 10+ years of structural design experience with increasing responsibility, including demonstrated managerial experience leading people, coordinating multi-engineer teams, and/or owning project/resource management
- Proven ability to combine strong structural technical knowledge with managerial skills—able to engage in technical issues, coach the team, and lead delivery without duplicating or replacing existing EOR ownership of sealed work
- Hands-on experience spanning design and construction
- Ability to adapt, multi-task, and prioritize in a fast-paced environment with evolving design requirements
- Ability to identify risks and design deficiencies, and also to drive the structural team towards efficient and cost effective solutions
- Comfortable working under pressure with multiple large teams at once
- Strong collaboration and communication skills across engineering disciplines and stakeholders
- Proficient with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Bluebeam
About Tesla
Fremont
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