Staff Technical Program Manager, Cell Electrode at Tesla in Austin, TX

Tesla’s Cell Manufacturing Engineering group is looking for a highly motivated individual to technical program manage exciting new manufacturing engineering projects. This is a fast-paced, cross-functional role that requires seamless coordination across numerous internal and external teams. You will drive the development and deployment of new internal manufacturing lines while managing the scale-up of new programs—tackling complex, multifaceted challenges with swift, decisive action to deliver results under tight timelines while driving measurable outcomes, optimizing key performance metrics, and consistently achieving ambitious production targets.

You will lead manufacturing projects from concept through design, installation, integration, ramp, and handover to production. Drawing on your technical engineering expertise, you will quickly analyze line, equipment, process, and product requirements; identify and mitigate technical risks; and shape deployment and ramp strategies to create a clear manufacturing program plan. You will proactively communicate program status, spotlight schedule risks early, and act decisively to develop and execute recovery plans that keep projects moving forward to ensure sustained high-performance results.

Responsibilities

• Work with cross-functional teams such as Factory Design, Construction, Quality, Supply Chain, Production Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, and other supporting functions (including project engineering, design, process, metrology, controls, and software) to scope out and drive projects for deployment of Cell Electrode manufacturing equipment and processes from concept through handover to production, acting as a single point of contact
• Work with external suppliers and vendors to develop comprehensive plans outlining strategy, scope, schedule, risks, resource requirements, and cost targets; drive review, selection, budget, and schedule of external equipment automation vendors and integrators for delivery of selected manufacturing project scope
• Define and drive daily tasks to be performed on the manufacturing line by the multiple engineering disciplines and cross-functional teams
• Inform and set prioritization of team project work based on schedule, risk, resources, and payback
• Set goals, track status of projects and action items against the schedule/project deliverables, identify risks, and drive mitigations across all stages
• Identify creative ways to overcome obstacles and meet the schedule despite setbacks
• Create, maintain, communicate, and present schedules for projects to the cell engineering and leadership team
• Drive delivery of selected manufacturing project scope, including defining manufacturing program plans and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to drive the program toward the plan

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years working in a product development or manufacturing environment, in a mix of engineering and program management roles
• Demonstrated experience in the management of engineering projects for mass-produced products
• Ability to comprehend complex problems and break them down into manageable, clearly understood work streams
• Demonstrated experience creating, maintaining, and communicating schedules
• Ability to work cross-functionally and manage large teams
• Proven ability to operate under pressure while managing multiple priorities simultaneously
• Experience with JIRA, Microsoft Project, Confluence, and other project management tools
• Availability for travel domestic/international is required. Frequency is generally less than once per quarter but is subject to change
• Knowledge and understanding of Battery Cell technology a plus

Compensation and benefits