Equipment Vendor Surveillance Inspector

About the Role

The Equipment Vendor Surveillance QA Inspector ensures mechanical equipment from suppliers meets design intent, purchase orders, codes, regulations, and Tesla standards before shipment and site delivery. This role requires extensive domestic and/or international travel; a valid passport (or ability to obtain one) and ability to obtain visas are required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct supplier surveillance at vendor facilities (pre-qualification, periodic, and for-cause) to verify compliance with contracts, specs, drawings, ITPs, codes, and Tesla quality requirements for mechanical equipment such as tanks, pressure vessels, pumps, compressors, boilers, skids, and associated rotating equipment.
• Review and validate vendor documentation packages, including ITPs, material certifications/MTRs, weld and NDE records (as applicable), calibration records, MDRs/nameplate data, FAT procedures and results, and equipment data books; hold release when documentation is incomplete or nonconforming.
• Witness and verify critical fabrication, inspection, and test activities at hold/witness points (fit-up, weld visual, dimensional checks, pressure tests, performance/functional runs, and other FAT activities) to confirm acceptance criteria are met.
• Identify, document, and track nonconformances; collaborate with suppliers on corrective actions and verify effective closure before shipment or final acceptance.
• Prepare clear, actionable surveillance and inspection reports with findings, risk assessment, and recommended disposition; communicate results to Procurement, Engineering, Quality, and project stakeholders to support sourcing and release decisions.
• Verify pre-shipment readiness, including preservation, packing, tagging/identification, and shipping documentation, prior to release from the vendor.
• Monitor supplier quality trends and feed performance data into continuous improvement efforts and the vendor quality database.

Requirements

• Current AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) certification preferred, or equivalent mechanical/equipment inspection or vendor surveillance qualification; working familiarity with supplier quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001).
• Minimum of 8 years’ inspection/audit experience on large-scale industrial or energy projects, including at least 3 years in vendor surveillance / source inspection of mechanical equipment (tanks, pressure vessels, pumps, compressors, boilers, or similar).
• Ability to read and interpret POs, specs, drawings, ITPs, ASME/API data, and vendor turnover/FAT packages; strong written and verbal communication with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of applicable codes and standards (e.g., ASME, API; AWS where welding applies) and proficiency with inspection methods and tools appropriate to equipment surveillance (dimensional/visual inspection, nameplate and datasheet verification, coating or thickness checks as applicable); familiarity with NDE documentation (RT, UT, MT, PT).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently at supplier sites, exercise sound release/hold judgment, investigate quality issues, and drive corrective action to closure.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively (domestic and/or international), often on short notice, with a valid passport or ability to obtain passport and required visas.
• Solid understanding of quality management principles across fabrication, test, shipment, and project turnover; ability to perform in a high-performance, cross-functional environment with tight timelines.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and full-time Tesla employee benefits starting on day 1 of hire.
• Medical plans with $0 payroll deduction.
• Family-building, fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both with options for $0 paycheck contribution.
• Company-paid Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA.
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits.
• Company-paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability insurance (90-day waiting period).
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, accrued hours for hourly positions), and Paid Holidays.
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources.
• Voluntary benefits including critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance.
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs.
• Tesla Babies program.
• Commuter benefits.
• Employee discounts and perks program.