Supplier industrialization engineer, battery cell separator engineer

Tesla’s Supplier Industrialization team is responsible for critical raw materials, component production and qualification activities at suppliers. This role will be responsible for selecting, qualifying, scaling battery cell separator manufacturing processes and quality systems at Tesla supplier locations. In this role, you will work closely with many organizations both internal and external to Tesla, taking new battery designs from initial concept through into full production.

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 in highly motivated and capable team to make unbelievable things into reality.

What You’ll Do

• Review/setup, qualify and scale processes for battery cell separator manufacturing, including base film, ceramic coatings, and adhesive coatings.
• Monitor production output at existing facilities and support expansion programs with existing suppliers.
• Setup In-process, OQC and corresponding IQC material quality controls; qualified required metrology for the same.
• Support material related FA @ Supplier location.
• Project manage activities at supplier locations and ensure all required milestones are meeting Tesla product qualification on time.
• Act as a technical contact point for battery cell separator manufacturing processes and coordinate activities within internal and external teams.

What You’ll Bring

• MS in Chemical, Material, Mechanical, or Polymer science engineering discipline.
• Experience in polymer material manufacturing process & quality control, including separator, binder, or related materials is a plus.
• Experience in characterizing polymer materials using techniques like XRD, FTIR, SEM, Stress-strain diagram, DSC, DTA, hardness test, etc.
• Experience in developing OQC/IQC quality controls, metrology qualification for cell materials.
• Must be well versed in statistical data analysis & process capability analysis.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to travel – up to 75%.
• Experience in high volume manufacturing is desired.
• Candidates are expected to uphold and actively promote sustainability principles in their daily work, operating in line with Tesla Global Environmental, Health, Safety & Security (EHS&S) Policy and EMAS requirements, fostering a culture of continuous environmental improvement.