TESr. Supplier Industrialization Engineer, Exterior Lighting
BS-level Process Engineering roles on Crosslinked list a median of $113k (672 that show pay).
Industrialize exterior lighting parts at suppliers, driving tooling, process and quality readiness to launch.
Worth knowing
Why it is interesting. Own supplier launch for exterior lighting on Tesla vehicles, with on-the-spot technical calls at supplier plants.
Might not be for you. Supplier-facing with up to 30% travel on short notice; quality/launch documentation heavy, not open-ended R&D.
Adjacent materials roleHands-on familiarity with processes such as injection molding, coating or metallization, welding or bonding
H-1B filings
Tesla filed 1,327 H-1B labor applications for scientist and engineer roles from Jan to Dec 2025.
Most common titles: Sr Manufacturing Engineer, Sr Process Engineer, Sr Mechanical Design Engineer. Median filed pay: $138K a year.
From U.S. Department of Labor disclosure data. A filing is a record of past hiring, not a promise about this role, so confirm sponsorship with the employer. Titles and filed pay ·Every employer's filings
- Seniority
- Senior
- Work
- On-site
- Type
- Full-time
- Degree
- BS
- Experience
- 5+ yrs
- Industry
- Automotive
- Role
- Process Engineering
Role details
What to Expect
Tesla’s Supplier Industrialization team develops and qualifies critical components at suppliers so production can launch on time, at scale and at quality. This role is in the Exterior Lighting team and related exterior lighting commodities from advanced development through mass production. You will work with Design, Purchasing, Quality, and Manufacturing, travel to supplier plants, and make on-the-spot calls on process, tooling, and launch readiness.
What You'll Do
- Lead industrialization for exterior lighting commodities from advanced development through mass-production qualification
- Lead New Product Introduction at suppliers, including process design, tooling and equipment readiness, inspection planning, and packaging
- Drive DFM with Design Engineering and suppliers; close manufacturability, GD&T, and process-capability gaps before tool kickoff
- Own Tesla Qualification Process deliverables through okay-to-tool, okay-to-ship, safe launch, and exit from safe launch
- Lead containment, root cause, and corrective action when parts or processes miss spec; confirm fixes stick across lines and plants
- Improve supplier scalability, cost, and quality using process capability, SPC, and launch metrics
- Make on-the-spot technical decisions at supplier sites, and close gaps in manufacturing process, tooling, inspection, and quality systems before they reach Tesla production
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or equivalent experience
- 5+ years industrializing or manufacturing automotive exterior lighting, or closely related injection-molded / PCBA / optical assemblies
- Proven launch of production parts: tooling, APQP / PPAP or equivalent, process validation, and supplier readiness
- Working knowledge of GD&T, MSA, SPC, and problem-solving (8D, Ishikawa, DOE)
- Hands-on familiarity with processes such as injection molding, coating or metallization, welding or bonding, LED/PCBA, photometric or optical validation, and end-of-line test
- Ability to deal with competing priorities, ambiguity and thrive in a fast paced, dynamic environment; strong technical comprehension and oral & written communication skills; understands technical issues and able to explain them in a concise and plain manner to technical and non-technical audiences
- Able to travel domestically or internationally on short notice, possibly up to 30%
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
Expected Compensation
$132,000 - $198,000/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.
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.