Process Development Engineer, Cathode Materials Manufacturing

What To Expect Tesla's Cathode team is looking for a highly motivated Process Development Engineer to engineer solutions to a critical challenge facing the world's energy transition — Battery Cathode Materials. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to Tesla's world-class material process development and commercialization. This role sits between two groups — material engineering, which develops the lab recipe, and process engineering, which designs the pilot line and the plant. Your job is to explore, select, and develop the equipment technology and unit operations that let a lab recipe successfully scale to pilot and then to commercial production. Strong candidates evaluate technology from first principles and build supplier partnerships that produce a working solution. Tesla is a demanding, fast-paced environment where you will work on a critical subsystem of an incredibly exciting product. What You'll Do Provide process and equipment technology for material synthesis at pilot and commercial scale, based on a full understanding of the lab recipe and existing technology on the marketApply engineering fundamentals and process engineering tools to evaluate unit operations (mixing, dosing, milling, drying, calcination) and recommend a solution with a roadmapBuild and maintain relationships with equipment suppliers to establish strong technology partnershipsDesign and champion third-party trials for feasibility, validation, and data collection, with required domestic and international travelIdentify and evaluate emerging technologies that can improve process capability in later phasesWork with process engineering on the build, procurement, and commissioning of lab and pilot equipmentSupport safe day-to-day operation and improvement projects, and transfer process knowledge of high-intensity unit operations so they can be scaled safelyBe part of the pilot team responsible for material qualification of new chemistry, materials, and equipmentUse lab and pilot data to guide commercial-scale design and decision-making What You'll Bring Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experienceExperience with solid powder processing design and operationExperience in one or more unit operations: milling, drying, calcination, mixing, or dosing2+ years of process development and R&D experience, including pilot workStrong data analysis skills across internal, external, and different scales (lab, mini-pilot, and pilot), along with technical presentation skillsHands-on skill in equipment operation and troubleshootingAbility to learn on the job and adapt quickly when the scope changesA positive, "do the impossible" attitude and the ability to communicate with peers and stakeholders across engineering disciplinesAbility to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment Benefits Along with 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 Family-building, 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 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 to include: 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 , Tesla