Mechanical Design Engineer, Studio Prototyping

Studio Prototyping turns digital design into real mechanical assemblies. The team takes surfaces, and early engineering intent and builds the properties, mechanisms, and electromechanical hardware that Design and Engineering can see, touch, and decide on. The work spans new EV programs, Optimus and other Tesla products, from a single part or tooling to a full interior buck, exterior property, or robot mechanism demonstrator.

The team is small, highly motivated, and thrives in a rapid engineering environment. You will work daily with designers, digital modelers, clay modelers, studio integration, vehicle and robotics engineering, and fabricators, machinists, and composite technicians who build what you release. We move fast and still hold quality and accuracy. The goal is to represent the design accurately, long before downstream production exists.

This is a mechanical design role. Product design skills and a first-principles approach are required. You must be able to balance tight deadlines with demanding design and engineering requirements, and keep a professional working relationship with designers, engineers, model makers, and suppliers. You must have a genuine passion for engineering the best EVs in the world.

- Digital to Physical – Own the path from design data to a built assembly. Interpret 3DX, CATIA, and design-surface models and turn them into prototype parts and mechanisms that hold design intent
- Studio Properties – Design, release, and hands-on assemble bucks, seating and interior properties, exterior properties, and appearance models used to judge proportion, craftsmanship, ergonomics, and motion
- Mechanisms & Assemblies – Design structures, mounts, linkages, and actuated assemblies for new EV programs and Optimus. Self-define constraints when the initial requirements are ambiguous, then prove the design by building it
- Build Execution – Create build plans and secure in-house resources. Design for the process that hits the date: 3D printing, CNC milling, waterjet, laser cutting, sheet metal, composites, and hand fabrication
- Shop Partnership – Work with machinists, fabricators, and technicians through fabrication, fit-up, and assembly
- Iteration – Run short design-build-learn loops with Design and engineering partners. Protect proportion and design while making the assembly buildable on a prototype schedule
- Documentation & Timing – Release models, drawings, and work instructions the shop can build from. Handle multiple properties at once and show leadership how build decisions track to program milestones

- Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience
- 3+ years in a product development environment, with hands-on experience designing and assembling hardware
- A maker mindset — willing to design it and willing to build it
- Proficiency in CATIA / 3DEXPERIENCE / RHINO: part design, large assemblies, and surfacing. Processing scan data and simple kinematics is preferred
- Broad knowledge of rapid prototyping methods for metals, polymers, and composites
- Experience designing and assembling electromechanical systems — mechanisms, actuators, structures, and interfaces
- Understanding of GD&T sufficient to release prototype drawings
- Excellent communicator, resourceful, and mindful of time management

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)
Expected Compensation $104,120 - $185,820/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. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.