Tesla

Supplier Industrialization Engineer, Seat Trim Design & Industrialization

Tesla, Fremont, CA, United States

Tesla's Supplier Industrialization team is responsible for critical component development and qualification activities at suppliers. The job involves communicating well with internal and external teams, traveling to suppliers in different regions, and on-the-spot critical decision making. The goal: delivering on time quantities of high quality component parts into Tesla's production processes to enable extremely rapid development cycles and product launches.

Responsibilities

Act as a liaison between internal Tesla teams (Trim pattern engineering, seat engineering, raw materials engineering) and suppliers to meet Appearance Approval Requirements, Product Validation Testing, and Pre-Production Approval Process (PPAP) for components and materials.
Ensure trim pattern designs align with supplier manufacturing to prevent issues like wrinkles and creases while meeting Tesla's trim engineering specifications. The candidate should suggest process adjustments to suppliers or modifications to Tesla's trim designs to support product ramp-up.
Negotiate costs, timelines, and actions with suppliers throughout the product lifecycle. It's not mandatory, but a plus to have cost analysis background
Create, manage, and communicate soft trim material specifications to Sourcing, Purchasing, Product, and Design teams. Soft trim raw materials include (PUR, PVC, TPO, Suede, Textiles)
Identify manufacturing and production defects at suppliers and collaborate with Tesla internal teams and suppliers to resolve issues
Work with global manufacturing teams to optimize pattern development, sewing, and build operations
Oversee soft-trim components from initial concept through to production hand-off and also during supplier-ramp up
Experience with pattern development software such as Gerber, Lectra, and Accumark
Demonstrated ability to improve production efficiency by refining sewing processes and optimizing material usage
Working knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Bill of Materials (BOM) development

Requirements

Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering or evidence of experience and exceptional ability
5+ years of assembly plant experience working directly with injection molding, blow forming, SMC or similar in a Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering role
Understanding process engineering principles of resin fed final products
Experience in Quality Systems a plus: PPAP/APQP processes
Ability to communicate and direct supplier activities at the management level
Excellent team building skills in dealing with suppliers, peers and other functional areas
An average of 30 - 40% travel, possibly on short notice

Compensation and Benefits
Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna 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
Employee Assistance Program
Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary 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