What to Expect

The Drive System Engineering team is looking for a world class engineer (lubricant development and tribology background) specialized in but not limited to driveline lubricants, greases, and corresponding additive design and selection. This individual is expected to have in-depth understanding of lubricant formulations, base oils, additive componentry, additive package design, additive selection (for various applications), regular lubricant testing methods, and more importantly, first principle physics-based thinking and decision making. There are more and more lubricant related applications as Tesla is quickly growing in multiple sectors. It is paramount to design the best customized lubricant products along with Tesla’s hardware applications to provide best in class performance and cost efficiency.

Our world-class engineering teams operate with a non-conventional automotive product development philosophy of high inter-disciplinary collaboration, flat organizational structure, and technical contribution at all levels. You will be expected to challenge and to be challenged, to create, to innovate. 

You must want to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial company. We are building real products. This must excite you. We are not interested in traditional me too and marginal design thinking—first principle based fundamental thinking is key to succeed in Tesla innovation. You’ll work alongside accomplished, world-renowned engineers on perhaps the most exciting automotive programs in existence today.

This position within the Drive Systems Engineering teamwork side by side with engineers to support the development of our world class drive units. Projects can be open-ended, and the individual must strive in a challenging environment.

What You’ll Do
Apply first principle physics based thinking and engineering fundamentals to lead design, develop, testing, and industrialization of innovative Tesla lubricant formulations, specialized in but not limited to driveline fluids and greases. The goal is to continue to develop the best in class lubricant products for Tesla
Understand additive componentry, additive package design, and additive selection for various applications
Understand the relationship between the lubricant formulation functions and hardware application requirements
Develop lubricant componentry and property relationships and understand structural and property relationships
Select, evaluate, and optimize material candidates (primarily for drive unit mateirals), including elastomers, engineering plastics, composites, adhesives, insulation materials, and coatings, working closely with the material, mechanical design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams
Design, coordinate, and execute customized lubricant validation tests and testing matrix for lubricant development and lubrication model validation
Lubricant analysis and lubricant lab operation
Prepare and manage materials specifications, database, testing procedures, SOPs
Work with cross functional teams and external suppliers to complete projects on time
What You’ll Bring
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Polymer Engineering, Material Science, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
2+ years of experience in lubricant formulations (prefer driveline lubricants and/or greases), additive design, and additive selection
Strong knowledge of lubricant formulations, base oil, additive componentry selection, additive package design, rheology, lubricant testing methods, lubrication fundamentals, design of experiment, and data analysis
By applying first principle physics based thinking, analyze complex technical data and to derive clear technical decisions for lubricant projects and design projects
Experience with variety of tribological testing a plus
Experience creating and executing DVP&R and DOE to validate performance requirements a plus
Experience with data analysis software (e.g., MATLAB, Python, etc.) a plus
Drive unit component/system design and testing experience a plus
STLE CLS and/or NLGI CLGS certificates a plus

Palo Alto, California

Full time