Staff Robotics Manufacturing Engineer, Stator Molding, Optimus

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Staff Robotics Manufacturing Engineer to develop and engineer new processes and high-volume automation equipment for stator and segment molding with the Optimus Stator team in Austin, TX. These production lines include highly automated manufacturing systems to mold stator assemblies and stator laminated segments. You will work closely with Tesla’s internal Product Design, Production, Controls, Safety, Quality and Manufacturing Engineering teams and coordinate cross-functional design activities with equipment suppliers on-site to develop new stator molding equipment, tooling and automation. You will assume full ownership of the design, development and optimization, as well as leading the technical transfer of the line’s tools to Tesla Operations, qualifying them to the highest standards of safety, quality, and output.

What You’ll Do

• Develop manufacturing methods and specify equipment necessary for stator and segment molding, including the following processes: Injection molding, micro molding, transfer molding, vision control, precision gaging, conveyance, robotic handling, preheating, and cooling
• Develop new highly automated manufacturing lines from concept to production
• Collaborate with product engineering on design for assembly of various components to allow for an efficient assembly process that builds quality into the product
• Participate in periodic design and process reviews during product development to ensure correct specifications are set and best practices are adhered to
• Optimize product flow and line efficiency while reducing Capex and lead-time
• Generate machine specifications, documentation, manufacturing instructions, process flow, failure mode effects analysis, and inspection methodologies for new products
• Collaborate with external vendors and internal stakeholders to conduct design reviews of the production equipment throughout the development process
• Collaborate with the Stator Design Engineering team to propose solutions for Tesla’s future products
• Drive excellence in project execution by defining, managing, and executing project timelines to ensure on-time delivery through proactive program management
• Ability to travel 20% of the time, both domestically and internationally

What You’ll Bring

• 7+ years of hands-on experience with high-volume molding process, equipment, and tooling
• Strong knowledge of plastics molding processes, post-molding operations, and mold flow simulations
• Solid understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), lean manufacturing, GD&T, and capacity planning techniques
• Strong foundation of problem-solving skills, statistical process control, design of experiments, and data analysis software (Minitab, JMP)
• Proficiency with Solid Works or other 3D CAD software
• Strong hands-on experience with high-volume as well as pilot manufacturing
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience