<p>Tesla's Supplier Industrialization team is responsible for critical component development and qualification activities at suppliers. The job involves communicating well with internal and external teams, traveling to suppliers in different regions, and on-the-spot critical decision making. The goal: delivering on time quantities of high quality component parts into Tesla's production processes to enable extremely rapid development cycles and product launches.</p> <ul> <li>Act as a liaison between internal Tesla teams (Trim pattern engineering, seat engineering, raw materials engineering) and suppliers to meet Appearance Approval Requirements, Product Validation Testing, and Pre-Production Approval Process (PPAP) for components and materials. </li><li>Ensure trim pattern designs align with supplier manufacturing to prevent issues like wrinkles and creases while meeting Tesla's trim engineering specifications. The candidate should suggest process adjustments to suppliers or modifications to Tesla's trim designs to support product ramp-up. </li><li>Negotiate costs, timelines, and actions with suppliers throughout the product lifecycle. It's not mandatory, but a plus to have cost analysis background </li><li>Create, manage, and communicate soft trim material specifications to Sourcing, Purchasing, Product, and Design teams. Soft trim raw materials include (PUR, PVC, TPO, Suede, Textiles) </li><li>Identify manufacturing and production defects at suppliers and collaborate with Tesla internal teams and suppliers to resolve issues </li><li>Work with global manufacturing teams to optimize pattern development, sewing, and build operations </li><li>Oversee soft-trim components from initial concept through to production hand-off and also during supplier-ramp up </li><li>Experience with pattern development software such as Gerber, Lectra, and Accumark </li><li>Demonstrated ability to improve production efficiency by refining sewing processes and optimizing material usage </li><li>Working knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Bill of Materials (BOM) development </li><li>Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering or evidence of experience and exceptional ability </li><li>5+ years of assembly plant experience working directly with injection molding, blow forming, SMC or similar in a Supplier Quality, Quality Engineering, or Manufacturing Engineering role </li><li>Understanding process engineering principles of resin fed final products </li><li>Experience in Quality Systems a plus: PPAP/APQP processes </li><li>Ability to communicate and direct supplier activities at the management level </li><li>Excellent team building skills in dealing with suppliers, peers and other functional areas </li><li>An average of 30 - 40% travel, possibly on short notice </li></ul>