Sr. Materials Engineer, NMC Cathode Development

What To Expect

The active materials research team is seeking an experienced Senior Materials Engineer to synthesize, characterize, and optimize next-generation high-nickel NMC cathode materials. In this role, you will own the full cathode development pipeline — from precursor co-precipitation and calcination through elemental doping, surface modification and electrochemical validation — to deliver materials with significantly higher energy density, durability, and cost-effectiveness compared to today's commercial solutions. You will bridge cutting-edge academic research with real-world industrial implementation, working closely with cell design engineers, manufacturing teams, and supply chain partners to transition lab-scale cathode innovations into large-format production cells.

What You'll Do

• Synthesize high-nickel NMC cathode materials via co-precipitation of transition metal hydroxide precursors, followed by lithiation, calcination, and sintering optimization.
• Systematically tune synthesis parameters to control precursor morphology, particle size distribution, and tap density.
• Develop and implement doping and surface coating to improve structural stability, suppress phase transitions, minimize cation mixing, and enhance cycle life and thermal safety at high states of charge.
• Conduct in-depth structural and electrochemical characterization of synthesized materials using XRD, SEM/EDS, ICP, BET, EIS, GITT, and dQ/dV analysis to establish clear structure–processing–performance relationships.
• Diagnose and resolve degradation mechanisms specific to high-Ni cathodes through systematic root-cause analysis.
• Fabricate and test battery cells to validate cathode performance and provide feedback to the synthesis loop. Collaborate with cell design engineers on electrode formulation and full-cell integration.
• Lead feasibility studies and develop early phase synthesis protocols on emerging cathode chemistries: single-crystal NMC, core–shell/concentration-gradient architectures and assess their potential for Tesla's next-generation cells.
• Maintain detailed experimental records, present structure–property findings and synthesis recommendations to leadership.
• Collaborate with validation engineers, electrochemists, modeling experts, and supply chain specialists to scale up synthesis processes from lab to pilot and qualify materials for manufacturability.

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field, with a dissertation or significant research body focused on synthesis and characterization of layered transition metal oxide cathode materials (LiNiₓMnᵧCoᵤO₂ family) or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on expertise in hydroxide co-precipitation — including nucleation/growth control, and precursor optimization — with a track record of published or industry work on high-Ni compositions (Ni ≥ 80%).
• Direct experience with doping, surface coating, or gradient-composition cathode design to address the stability and safety challenges inherent to high-nickel systems.
• Strong command of crystallographic and microstructural analysis as applied to understanding cation ordering, lattice parameter evolution, and degradation pathways in NMC.
• Proficiency with standard electrochemical testing and the ability to correlate electrochemical signatures back to materials-level root causes.
• Practical familiarity with electrode fabrication and coin-cell/pouch-cell assembly sufficient to validate your own synthesized materials.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with strong problem-solving ability and sound judgment when working with incomplete information.
• Experience with single-crystal NMC synthesis and understanding of the trade-offs vs. polycrystalline morphologies.
• Working knowledge of chemical reaction kinetics, heat and mass transfer, and unit operations relevant to scaling cathode synthesis from lab bench to continuous production.
• Experience working with cathode material suppliers or in a pilot/manufacturing environment for active materials.

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
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program

Expected Compensation

$91,600 - $195,600/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered.