START Instructor

About the role

As a Tesla START Instructor you will assess diverse needs and develop and deliver comprehensive learning solutions for a wide range of skills, abilities, and experiences. The ideal candidate will effectively develop and maintain strong partnerships with both internal and external partners, demonstrate creativity and proactivity, and possess a genuine passion for teaching others about electric vehicles. They should possess exceptional communication, people management, and organizational skills, while maintaining a professional and positive demeanor. The START Instructor is responsible for managing the day-to-day relationship with our local academic partners, overseeing all aspects of the START academic experience, and ensuring that START participants are well-equipped and managed effectively to take their place as Service Technicians in a Tesla Service Center.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with college and START faculty to identify, recruit, onboard, and train START program participants and professionally manage 10–15 START participants to prepare them for full-time roles in a Tesla Service Center
• Develop site-specific learning plans to ensure compliance with requirements from both Tesla and our academic partners, delivering technical learning solutions to equip service employees for safe and Tesla-quality performance
• Teach and facilitate participant learning in all START curriculum areas while continually seeking process improvements to model and effectively apply the Tesla Service mindset
• Provide specialized training to Tesla Motors' Service staff on electric vehicles with complex automotive/electromechanical systems, including the powertrain, passive restraint system, steering/suspension/brakes, thermal management, and high-voltage DC systems as required
• Maintain expert knowledge of maintenance and repair methods, techniques, parts, tools, and materials used in vehicle servicing, as well as effective problem-solving and customer service experience within the Tesla Service environment
• Develop new START curriculum in close consultation with Tesla Academy, Service Teams, FTS, and Service Engineering Team, ensuring that programs and processes align with Tesla's objectives
• Manage training location operations including but not limited to inventory management, vehicle maintenance, tool and equipment maintenance, location set-up, communications, and safety

Requirements

• Degree or certificate from a university program in Automotive Technology, or equivalent experience
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and act as a partner to academic institutions, adept at both teaching and coaching to facilitate others' learning
• Ability to facilitate effective problem-solving initiatives and activities
• Strong expertise in automotive system repair and training, including the capacity to read and interpret mechanical drawings and electrical schematics
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and demonstrated confidence and professionalism in working customer-facing roles
• Highly skilled with common workplace and database software (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook)
• Valid driver's license required

Benefits

• Medical plans with options featuring $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both with options featuring $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 and AD&D insurance
• 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: 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
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)