Component Engineer

What To Expect
As a Component Engineer at Tesla, you will own the technical strategy, selection, qualification, and lifecycle management of critical electronic and electromechanical components that enable vehicle, energy, and autonomy products. You will operate as the technical authority for your commodity domains—driving first-principles decisions on performance, reliability, cost, and supply risk—while partnering deeply with Design, Reliability, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and suppliers from concept through high-volume production.

This role demands hands-on engineering depth, supplier technical leadership, and the ability to set standards that scale across programs. You will de-risk new technologies, resolve complex field and factory issues, mentor junior engineers, and influence architecture choices that directly affect product quality and manufacturability.

What You'll Do

Own end-to-end technical responsibility for assigned component families (e.g., passives, connectors, power devices, magnetics, sensors, ASICs, electromechanical parts), including roadmaps, second-source strategy, and obsolescence management

Define and maintain component requirements, derating guidelines, preferred parts lists (PPL), and design rules in partnership with electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering

Lead component selection, characterization, and qualification (AEC-Q, JEDEC, Tesla-specific reliability and environmental stress tests); author and approve qualification plans and reports

Drive supplier technical engagement: process capability, FMEA/control plans, change management (PCN), audits, and corrective actions (8D/SCAR) for quality escapes and field failures

Perform and lead root-cause analysis on component-related failures using electrical test, physical FA (X-ray, CSAM, cross-section, SEM/EDX, FIB), and statistical methods; close the loop into design and supplier process improvements

Partner with Supply Chain purchasing and Engineering to ensure dual-source readiness, capacity alignment, cost reduction without quality tradeoffs, and smooth NPI ramp into high-volume production

Evaluate emerging component technologies (wide-bandgap devices, advanced packaging, next-gen interconnects, higher-density passives) and run structured technology insertion programs

Establish and enforce component engineering standards, review checklists, and DFM/DFT guidance; serve as a gate reviewer for design releases and ECO/PCN impacts

Mentor Component and Design engineers; raise the bar on first-principles thinking, data quality, and cross-functional communication

Represent component risk and readiness in program reviews; escalate technical blockers early with clear options and recommended paths

What You'll Bring

Degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related field, or equivalent practical experience

8+ years (12+ years preferred) of experience in component engineering, hardware design, reliability, or semiconductor/electronics product engineering in automotive, consumer electronics, industrial, or aerospace

Deep expertise in one or more commodity domains: power semiconductors, passives, connectors/interconnect, magnetics, MCUs/SoCs, or electromechanical components—and working fluency across adjacent categories

Proven ownership of component qualification to automotive-grade or equivalent harsh-environment standards (AEC-Q100/101/200, ISO 16750, JEDEC); strong grasp of reliability physics (HTOL, HAST, TC, power cycling, wear-out mechanisms)

Hands-on experience with electrical characterization, datasheet critical review, application circuit constraints, and interpreting failure analysis results

Demonstrated success driving suppliers on process control, yield, quality systems, and technical change management; comfortable on the factory floor and in FA labs

Proficiency with problem-solving frameworks (8D, FTA, DOE, SPC, FMEA) and data analysis (JMP, Python, or equivalent)

Ability to influence design and program decisions without formal authority; clear written specs, concise executive updates, and constructive technical debate

Set commodity strategy, unblock multi-program issues, mentor teams, and deliver measurable improvements in quality, cost, and supply resilience

Willingness to travel to suppliers and Tesla manufacturing sites as needed (typically up to 25%)

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)

Expected Compensation

$132,000 - $240,000/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