Launch Engineer, Body, Semi

What to Expect

The Body Shop Launch Engineer - Semi is responsible for managing the integrated body shop operations perimeter in its entirety as it relates to introducing components and assemblies for the Tesla Semi, and relevant systems, into the production environment as Tesla continues to expand across new product lines and locations. This role encompasses key areas such as stamping, powder coating, and Body-in-White (BIW) assembly, providing flexibility for specialization in one or more sub-areas while ensuring overall program success.

The Body Shop Launch Engineer - Semi, is responsible for managing the operations perimeter in its entirety as it relates to introducing major coordinated changes or packages into the factory or factories. The Launch Engineer is ultimately responsible for the factory readiness and successful tactical implementation of the program into production.

This requires the launch engineer to lead cross-functional teams to ensure engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain validation targets have been met in accordance with product launch timelines. You will take ownership of body shop processes, including but not limited to stamping, powder coating, and BIW for aluminum and steel components sourced from internal and external suppliers, coordinating part, process, and equipment changes within your assigned area(s). Working alongside technical program managers, you will handle critical pre-production build management, MBOM setup, factory readiness, and successful tactical implementation of programs into production, with a strong focus on APQP and PPAP processes to drive quality, efficiency, and seamless integration across body shop workflows.

What You'll Do

• Drive all activities related to body shop operations for your program(s) into the factory / factories, with a clear target to meet or exceed program milestones as set forth by the company, including processes such as stamping setup and optimization, powder coating design and defect resolution, and BIW joining validation for mixed-material components
• Participate in and lead various cross-functional Program and Manufacturing Readiness forums, providing clear updates on status, recovery plans, risks, and budgets at both working and executive levels, while fostering strong teamwork across engineering, quality, supply chain, operations, and supplier teams to ensure smooth integration across body shop areas, including coordination with external suppliers for timely component delivery
• Oversee the complete manufacturing validation for body shop programs, including APQP process execution, PPAP submissions status and approvals, supply chain readiness (for internal and external sources), handover from launch planning to production planning, factory transitions, and follow-up on excess / obsolescence planning and post-program / service introduction activities
• Plan, organize, and orchestrate all pre-launch build activities for body shop components and assemblies, facilitating ramp management with operations teams and ensuring effective time management to align with tight timelines, while addressing potential handoff delays or material compatibility issues across processes
• Oversee the finalization and validation of the MBOM for the program, with a focus on variant management, change management action items, and integration across body shop processes
• Oversee the validation of all factory systems regarding launch preparation, while managing budgets for equipment, tooling, materials (e.g., powders, dies, rivets, and welding consumables), and resources to avoid overruns and optimize cost efficiency across assigned areas
• Take ownership of facilitating discussions around root cause analysis (RCA), resolution of issues in triage, and driving closure of open action items, with an emphasis on performance metrics in areas like stamping, powder coating quality (e.g., adhesion and uniformity), BIW joining integrity (e.g., for mixed aluminum-steel assemblies), error proofing, and EHS factors (e.g., powder handling, ventilation, and welding fume management) in daily activities
• Collaborate daily with manufacturing teams (Quality, Process, Parts Control, EHS, Equipment, and Material Planning) and regularly provide feedback / deliverables to upstream / downstream teams (Design, Testing, Service, Remanufacturing, and external suppliers), promoting a collaborative mindset to resolve open-ended problems creatively, maintain production targets, and push feedback upstream through Design for Manufacturing, with a strong ability to work across diverse teams for body shop integration

What You'll Bring

Compensation and Benefits

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire :

2 medical plan options with $0 payroll deduction

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