Staff Quality Engineer

What To Expect The Drive Unit (DU) is the heart of the vehicle — and its quality determines range, reliability, NVH, and customer trust. We are looking for a Drive Unit Quality Engineering Lead to own DU quality end-to-end at Gigafactory Texas: from incoming components and supplier PPAP, through stator winding and inverter/power-electronics assembly, into drive unit final assembly, and across every Austin vehicle program.

This is a manager-track role. You will start by leading the DU quality function technically and cross-functionally, and grow into building and managing the dedicated DU Quality Engineering team. You will set the standard for how we detect, contain, and permanently eliminate drive unit defects before they ever reach a vehicle or a customer.

What You'll Do

Own the quality plan for the full DU value stream: incoming/supplier, stator, inverter, and DU final assembly, across all Austin vehicle programs

Lead containment and root-cause resolution for DU escapes — drive the 8D/5-Why discipline and close the loop with permanent corrective action

Build and mature DU PFMEAs, control plans, and inspection strategy; tie them to real failure modes and field data

Partner with Manufacturing, Process, Design, and Supplier Quality to drive first-pass yield and reduce DPV

Stand up the metrics, reviews, and escalation cadence that make DU quality visible and accountable

Grow the team — define the roles, hire, develop, and lead the DU quality engineers and technicians

What You'll Bring

6+ years in quality, manufacturing, or process engineering, with direct experience in electric drive units, electric motors, power electronics, or high-volume precision assembly

Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional quality problem-solving (8D, DMAIC, Shainin, or equivalent)

Deep fluency in PFMEA, control plans, MSA, SPC, PPAP/APQP, and GD&T

A track record of building structure where there was none — you've owned a quality area, not just executed within one

Bachelor's in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Materials) or equivalent experience

Experience scaling a new program from launch through steady-state production

Hands-on with stator winding, motor assembly, or inverter/power-electronics quality

Data-driven: comfortable with SQL/Tableau/EDW to turn production data into action

Experience building and leading a team from the ground up

Benefits Compensation and Benefits As a part-time Tesla employee, you will be eligible for:

401(k) with employer match

Employee Assistance Program

Sick and Vacation time

Tesla Babies program

Back-up childcare and parenting support resources

Pet Insurance

, Tesla