Mechanical Design Engineer, Die Shop

What to Expect

The Die Shop is part of the Materials Engineering group responsible for the build, launch and handover of Tesla’s high pressure die casting dies, used for vehicle programs. This team is focused on achieving the highest efficiency, manufacturing volume and safety.

As a Mechanical Design Engineer for the Die Shop, you will collaborate with Product Design, Simulation, and Process Engineering to establish High Pressure Die Casting tooling requirements, creating fully detailed 3D CAD tooling design models for die fabrication by tooling suppliers. In addition, you will support casting operations with the setup and launch of newly designed dies. This position requires 15% domestic and international travel.
What You’ll Do

• Develop the CAD design of new die cast tooling from concept thru production, including split lines, slides, ejection, vent and cooling system (waterlines in tool steel as well as internal and external plumbing)
• Provide feedback to Product Design Engineers to achieve the right balance between product performance and manufacturability from a tooling perspective (draft angles, rib/boss geometry, castability, design for manufacturing)
• Incorporate input from Flow and Thermal Simulation Engineers into the die design
• Capture feedback from Casting Process Engineers into new and replacement dies
• Innovate new ideas to push the envelope of performance (cycle time, yield, uptime) and minimize risk
• Provide technical oversight of tooling suppliers and assist in the development of tooling design and fabrication schedules, then execute accordingly
• Manage parallel, rather than serial, product design, die design, and die fabrication timelines

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 10+ years experience with aluminum high vacuum high pressure thin wall structural die casting tool design is a must
• Expert level 3D CAD skills, including advanced surfacing and large assemblies
• CATIA V5+ fluency preferred
• Experience with die casting tool lifetime management including die maintenance and refurbishments preferred
• Ability to travel up to 15% domestic and international