Project Engineer - Design Support for New Product Introduction

About the Role

In the role of Project Engineer for Design Support within Tesla's New Product Introduction (NPI) team, you will act as the key liaison between factory operations and design teams for products currently in mass production. Your responsibilities will encompass managing CAD and drawing modifications, managing deviations and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) assessments, and ensuring changes proceed smoothly with final design approval to accelerate production.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee factory CAD modifications and update drawings (both 2D and 3D), including updating GD&T and minor design changes for existing products.
• Develop and progress deviation and design change documentation to maintain continuous production.
• Conduct DFM reviews collaboratively with Manufacturing, Process, Quality, and Design departments, translating factory input into actionable design improvements.
• Maintain an organized system for receiving, prioritizing, tracking, and resolving factory design requests.
• Prepare and manage comprehensive design packages through review and approval stages, driving timely implementation into production.
• Collaborate with Change Control, NPI teams, Quality department, and suppliers to ensure timely execution of design updates.
• Assist with root cause analysis and corrective measures related to production and quality challenges requiring design or documentation revisions.
• Enhance handoff processes, templates, and workflows between factory operations and Design groups.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 3 to 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, NPI, product launch, or design-support roles within automotive, energy, or high-volume hardware industries preferred.
• Proficient with hands-on CAD work on production drawings and assemblies (experience with CATIA, 3DEXPERIENCE, or SolidWorks preferred; familiarity with ENOVIA or similar PLM systems considered a bonus).
• Strong understanding of GD&T, drawing standards, deviation/ECO procedures, and design change workflows.
• Excellent DFM judgement with the ability to assess designs against actual factory and assembly conditions.
• Demonstrated skills in managing multiple concurrent priorities under time constraints.
• Effective communication skills – able to convert factory issues into clear, approvable design documentation.
• Analytical problem-solving capabilities employing methods such as 5-Why, 8D, or DMAIC and readiness to engage directly on the manufacturing floor.

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers a competitive annual salary ranging from $93,600 to $140,400, supplemented by cash and stock awards and a comprehensive benefits package effective from day one of employment. Benefits include:

• Medical plans with options requiring no payroll deduction
• Support for family-building including fertility, adoption, and surrogacy assistance
• Dental and vision plans, including orthodontics, with options at zero paycheck contribution
• Company contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSA) when enrolling in high-deductible plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• 401(k) with employer matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and additional financial benefits
• Basic Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance fully covered by the company
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (subject to a 90-day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid sick leave, vacation time (flexible for salaried positions, accrued for hourly), and holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits including 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