Sr. Quality Engineer, Vehicle Attributes

The Senior Quality Engineer, Vehicle Attributes owns end-to-end vehicle-level attribute performance for GFTX Quality Engineering across Model Y, Cybercab, and Cybertruck: noise, vibration, harshness (NVH), cabin refinement, body sealing / water management, ride quality, steering feel, and braking performance. This role partners Quality Engineering, Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Validation, and Service to define targets, discover and contain issues, drive root-cause analysis, implement corrective actions, and close cross-functional projects that protect product quality and the customer experience on high-volume sustaining programs (Model Y, Cybertruck) and new-program launch (Cybercab).

Unlike a technician-focused execution role, this senior engineer sets attribute strategy, cascades requirements to systems and components, leads complex investigations, mentors technicians and junior engineers, and represents attribute status in program reviews and launch gates. The successful candidate combines deep vehicle-systems judgment with data-driven problem solving, strong stakeholder communication, and the ability to balance performance, cost, mass, manufacturability, and timing across Model Y, Cybercab, and Cybertruck.

- Own vehicle-level attribute targets for Model Y, Cybercab, and Cybertruck, cascade requirements to design, manufacturing, and suppliers, and track delivery through development, pilot, and production

- Lead root-cause investigations for NVH, BSR, wind/road noise, powertrain sound quality, water leaks, ride, steering, and braking issues, and drive corrective and preventive actions to full closure

- Plan and execute subjective and objective vehicle evaluations (drive, BSR, high-speed, reliability, water/leak, ride & handling, steering/braking) and define instrumentation, data collection, and acceptance criteria

- Apply advanced diagnostics (TPA, modal/ODS, sound quality metrics, contribution ranking) and translate findings into practical engineering countermeasures

- Monitor quality signals (EOL, scrap, warranty, J.D. Power/IQS, social/media, clinics), prioritize highest-impact attribute risks across programs, and sustain countermeasures on the line and in service

- Partner with Quality, Manufacturing, Process, and Design Engineering to establish processes, work instructions, and controls that prevent attribute regressions at launch and in serial production

- Lead containment, sorting, rework, and repair campaigns when attribute issues threaten outbound or field quality, and own escalation and leadership communication

- Author and maintain attribute documentation including DFMEA/process-control inputs, test plans, work instructions, issue trackers, reports, and executive status packs

- Own Cybercab attribute readiness from prototype through SOP while protecting Model Y and Cybertruck performance, and drive continuous improvement and audits across factories, service, and suppliers

- Mentor technicians and junior engineers on evaluation rigor and DMAIC problem-solving, and influence design and process changes to prevent failure modes before they reach the customer

- Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Acoustics, or a related field, or equivalent experience

- 7+ years of automotive experience in vehicle attributes, NVH, chassis/ride & handling, body sealing, or vehicle integration/quality engineering at Senior-level scope

- Demonstrated ownership of multi-attribute vehicle performance across two or more of: wind/road noise, powertrain sound quality, BSR, water leaks/sealing, ride, steering, and braking

- Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional root-cause investigations from discovery through validated corrective action and sustained process control

- Hands-on vehicle evaluation experience spanning subjective drive appraisals and objective measurement (microphones, accelerometers, DAQ, leak/sealing tests, chassis instrumentation)

- Working knowledge of acoustics and vibration, vehicle dynamics basics (ride, steering, brake feel), and body sealing principles

- Proficiency with NVH/dynamics tools and data workflows (LMS/Simcenter Test.Lab, HEAD ArtemiS, MATLAB or equivalent), SI capabilities, and Excel/PowerPoint/Word reporting

- Ability to read mechanical drawings, understand manufacturing process capability, and collaborate with production and supplier quality teams

- Excellent written and verbal communication, including concise, data-backed leadership briefings under tight timelines, plus comfort in a multi-program manufacturing/launch environment with a valid driver’s license and willingness to support proving-ground, factory, and field evaluations

- Preferred: EV attribute experience (e-drive whine, battery isolation, regen/brake blending, low-masking cabin noise), customer quality metrics (J.D. Power IQS, warranty, social listening), CAE partnership (FEA, SEA, multi-body), multi-program mentoring/ownership, and structured problem-solving (8D, Six Sigma, Shainin) with lean manufacturing and GD&T fundamentals

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
- Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)