Global Supply Manager, Mechanical

What You'll Do

• Lead strategic sourcing for high-performance thermal dissipation systems used in vehicle-mounted computing platforms, including:
• Cold plates and liquid cooling manifolds (with microchannel and conformal designs)
• Thermal interface materials (TIMs): phase-changing materials, gap fillers, thermal greases, and bonded interfaces
• Heat spreaders and vapor chambers (including wick structures, capillary design, and working fluid selection)
• Integrated thermal packaging (e.g., chip-to-enclosure thermal paths, die attach solutions)
• Manufacturing tooling and assembly processes (e.g., precision bonding, leak testing, vacuum filling)
• Own the full sourcing lifecycle: Drive RFQs, contract negotiations (NDAs, GTCs, piece pricing), and supplier onboarding
• Develop and manage long-term strategic agreements that deliver cost, quality, reliability, and delivery advantages
• Ensure compliance with Tesla’s industrialization standards, thermal performance targets, and safety requirements (e.g., fire resistance, fluid compatibility, long-term stability)
• Partner closely with engineering teams to define technical requirements and validate supplier capabilities:
• Evaluate suppliers based on material consistency, process yield, defect rate, and TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
• Support NPI (New Product Introduction) and ramp-to-scale with robust risk mitigation plans (e.g., thermal runaway, fluid leakage, TIM degradation)
• Monitor global market dynamics: Track advancements in thermal materials (e.g., graphene-based TIMs, high-conductivity composites), cooling architectures, and manufacturing processes
• Identify and act on supply chain risks (e.g., rare material scarcity, limited supplier base, logistics constraints, geopolitical factors)
• Build contingency plans for mission-critical thermal components with zero tolerance for failure
• Influence on company level: Communicate sourcing strategies, technical trade-offs, and risk exposure clearly across engineering, manufacturing, quality, finance, and legal teams
• Champion Tesla's long-term vision for self-contained, scalable, and sustainable thermal solutions in high-performance computing systems

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing or procurement, with a focus on thermal management systems, electronics cooling, or high-reliability mechanial components in automotive or industrial applications
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Thermal Engineering, or equivalent technical background
• Proven experience managing supply chains for complex, high-precision systems involving liquids, seals, and bonded interfaces
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills with experience in cost modeling, TCO analysis, and supplier performance tracking
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and external partners
• Experience with Tier 1 suppliers, contract manufacturers, and specialist material providers in regulated or high-reliability environments
• Ability to build and maintain strong supplier relationships, ensuring innovation, quality, and supply resilience

Benefits

• Competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• 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 to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs