Technical Program Manager

Role details

What to Expect

We are seeking a highly motivated Technical Program Manager with a specialized focus on material quality to join our automotive engineering and quality organization. In this role, you will lead cross-functional programs that ensure the materials used in our vehicles (metals, polymers, composites, coatings, adhesives, battery materials, and more) meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, safety, durability, and regulatory compliance.

You will act as the technical and programmatic owner for material-related initiatives spanning new vehicle programs, supplier development, cost/quality/timing (CQT) optimization, sustainability, and continuous improvement. This is a high-visibility role that partners closely with Materials Engineering, Design, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supplier Quality, Testing Labs, and OEM/Tier-1 stakeholders.

What You'll Do

• Own end-to-end program management for material quality, including new materials, substitutions, lightweighting, EV/battery materials, and quality campaigns
• Define material specs, test plans, validation protocols, and quality gates aligned with APQP, PPAP, and OEM requirements
• Lead supplier qualification, development, and ongoing quality management through audits, scorecards, 8D, and process capability studies
• Partner with engineering and manufacturing on DFQ/DFM, FMEA, control plans, and SPC
• Identify and mitigate material risks across supply chain, performance, regulatory, and sustainability
• Track KPIs such as defect rates, scrap/rework, supplier PPM, validation delivery, and cost of quality
• Drive cross-functional material decisions and launch support from concept through SOP, with executive updates, dashboards, and current industry standards

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years in automotive OEM or Tier-1 with material quality, supplier quality, or technical program management
• Proven track record leading complex, multi-year technical programs with cross-functional and supplier teams
• Hands-on knowledge of automotive materials (metals, plastics, elastomers, composites, coatings, adhesives) and testing/validation methods
• Strong command of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, 8D, SPC, MSA, and Six Sigma
• Excellent project management skills including scheduling, budgeting, risk, and stakeholder communication (Jira, MS Project, or equivalent)
• Outstanding communication with the ability to influence without authority and present to senior leadership

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.