Test Engineer, Materials Engineering

You will be an integral part of the Materials Engineering organization, pursuing our mission to deliver new materials and manufacturing processes that revolutionize Tesla's products and accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy. As a Materials Test Engineer, you will lead materials-level testing, prototyping, characterization, test specification development, and failure analysis. The position will be based in Fremont (California, USA) at one of our three global Materials Engineering Labs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee corrosion testing for a wide variety of materials, components, and vehicles across all Tesla products. Assess risk within upcoming projects and ensure applicable tests are completed within demanding project timelines
• Support off-site corrosion testing, including coordination with 3rd party test providers and internal test teams, performing detailed component and vehicle inspections, and documenting findings
• Design and execute experiments to characterize material properties and solve high-impact engineering challenges, while maintaining robust data-driven documentation to enable fast iteration
• Perform and coordinate a wide range of materials testing and prototyping, examples can include: Environmental Aging (e.g., salt fog, UV exposure, temperature/humidity cycling, electrochemical corrosion), Material Characterization (e.g., microscopy, SEM/EDS, DSC, TGA, FTIR, profilometry, rheometry), Lab-Scale Materials and Processes prototyping, (e.g., melting, molding, heat treatment)
• Validate computational models and processing-structure-property-performance relationships through rigorous experimental testing
• Develop and author test specifications, aligning with both Tesla and international standards. When necessary, create and validate new test methods to improve test-to-field correlation
• Lead failure analyses and root cause investigations, translating insights into design or process changes
• Work with test technicians to ensure efficient setup, execution, and interpretation of results
• Communicate findings clearly through detailed reports and presentations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Support lab operations and continuous improvement by establishing protocols, maintaining equipment readiness, and fostering a culture of safety and innovation

Requirements

• Degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, or a equivalent experience
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in materials testing, characterization, or experimental development in a lab environment
• Broad knowledge of materials science principles and automotive-relevant materials: metals, polymers, composites, coatings, textiles, etc.
• Proven experience with materials testing equipment, sample prep, and analysis techniques across mechanical, thermal, environmental, electrical and optical domains
• Strong problem-solving skills, with a hands-on mindset and a passion for learning and innovation
• Excellent communication and project coordination skills, with the ability to collaborate across disciplines and drive outcomes independently
• Organized, detail-oriented, and committed to delivering high-quality data and insights under tight timelines

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
Expected Compensation

$80,000 - $174,000/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.