Staff Quality Engineer

What to Expect The Drive Unit (DU) is the heart of the vehicle — and its quality determines range, reliability, NVH, and customer trust. We are looking for a Drive Unit Quality Engineering Lead to own DU quality end-to-end at Gigafactory Texas: from incoming components and supplier PPAP, through stator winding and inverter/power-electronics assembly, into drive unit final assembly, and across every Austin vehicle program.

This is a manager-track role. You will start by leading the DU quality function technically and cross-functionally, and grow into building and managing the dedicated DU Quality Engineering team. You will set the standard for how we detect, contain, and permanently eliminate drive unit defects before they ever reach a vehicle or a customer.

What You'll Do Own the quality plan for the full DU value stream: incoming/supplier, stator, inverter, and DU final assembly, across all Austin vehicle programs

Lead containment and root-cause resolution for DU escapes — drive the 8D/5-Why discipline and close the loop with permanent corrective action

Build and mature DU PFMEAs, control plans, and inspection strategy; tie them to real failure modes and field data

Partner with Manufacturing, Process, Design, and Supplier Quality to drive first-pass yield and reduce DPV

Stand up the metrics, reviews, and escalation cadence that make DU quality visible and accountable

Grow the team — define the roles, hire, develop, and lead the DU quality engineers and technicians

What You'll Bring

6+ years in quality, manufacturing, or process engineering, with direct experience in electric drive units, electric motors, power electronics, or high-volume precision assembly

Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional quality problem-solving (8D, DMAIC, Shainin, or equivalent)

Deep fluency in PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC, PPAP/APQP, and GD&T

A track record of building structure where there was none — you've owned a quality area, not just executed within one

Bachelor's in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Materials) or equivalent experience

Experience scaling a new program from launch through steady-state production

Hands-on with stator winding, motor assembly, or inverter/power-electronics quality

Data-driven: comfortable with SQL/Tableau/EDW to turn production data into action

Experience building and leading a team from the ground up

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)

Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.