Lead Cell Stacking Manufacturing Engineer, Cell Manufacturing Engineering

What to Expect

Tesla's world-class Cell Manufacturing Engineering team is looking for a highly-motivated Manufacturing Engineer with experience in electrode stacking applications for an exciting new project. This engineer is expected to be or become a manufacturing expert in the field of high-speed cell stacking (Z-fold / lamination) applications and will be involved in the design, development, commissioning and ramping of high-speed automated equipment, while working in a cross-functional team to test, validate, and roll-out process and product design changes.

The battery cell is a critical component in Tesla vehicles and storage systems. This role will have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to our products. The work environment is demanding, fast-paced and incredibly exciting. The ideal candidate should be ready to push their limits, as they join a highly motivated and capable team to make unbelievable things into reality.

What You’ll Do

• Drive design, development, commissioning, and ramp of manufacturing equipment including but not limited to electrode stacking (notching, cutting, Z-fold/lamination, and stack alignment) used in custom high speed automated manufacturing equipment, and qualify them using statistically valid data sets and workflow

• Work collaboratively as the equipment expert to ensure production lines run in a safe, efficient manner producing high quality parts

• Become owner / subject matter expert to drive equipment-related process improvement including detailed troubleshooting and root cause analysis

• Drive manufacturing ramp by characterizing baseline and improving performance of equipment with electrode stacking and sheet-handling systems; ensure manufacturing lines meet OEE goals

• Troubleshoot and recover processes using PLC, HMI, or tool management software, and implement changes/improvements

• Build training material, maintenance routines, and related documentation for equipment life cycle management

• Lead safety and ergonomic improvements to production equipment which meets or exceeds regulations or best practices

• Identify equipment critical spare parts and ensure sufficient coverage to prevent extended downtime situations

• Provide direction and mentorship to third party machine/automation suppliers and/or Tesla internal machine building team; participate in supplier/internal equipment FAT and SAT

• Develop and manage FMEA / risk assessments to prioritize equipment improvement projects and ensure sufficient repair strategies

What You’ll Bring

• Degree or Equivalent Experience in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Mechatronics Engineering or another engineering discipline, with more than 5 years of relevant experience in a high volume manufacturing environment

• Experience in equipment using electrode stacking (notching, cutting, Z-fold/lamination) and vision/alignment systems. Strong hands-on experience with pilot and high-volume manufacturing including practical knowledge in selection of related hardware and software

• Demonstrated experience solving complex automation and software system issues with limited documentation to debug, build process know-how, and kick off improvement projects

• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and ability to apply them towards manufacturing process development

• Structured thinking and problem solving abilities. Proven through a number of root cause analyses following a data driven approach, statistical software (JMP) a plus

• 3D CAD design experience in production equipment, creating/validating layouts, tooling drawings, pneumatic and electrical schematics. Experience with PLC programming a plus

• Availability for travel domestic/international as required; knowledge and understanding of Battery Cell technology a plus