process engineer Fremont, CA
Job description
Tesla delivers energy products to customers via a complex set of related processes, including solar system design, global manufacturing and supply chain, coordination with local building department and utilities, and on-site physical construction and inspections. Successful operations require process optimization, both within these areas and across them. Successful execution will result in happy customers, continually decreasing installation time, and high-quality products. Improving, and optimizing Tesla energy operations is both an enormous challenge, and essential to accelerating the transition to sustainable energy.
Energy Engineering - Hardware & Process Team
The Energy Engineering team is accountable for designing and manufacturing the solar products that Tesla sells, as well as defining the process for installing these products and standardizing it for the operations team. The team is constantly looking to improve the product from a manufacturing, aesthetics, and install-ease perspective. This is a critical task as we continue to scale up our operations while trying to minimize cost.
Energy Process Engineer Role
To accomplish our goals, the team member in this role must become a subject-matter experts on all aspects of energy operations, with both deep knowledge in product installation, and broad knowledge about the end-to-end process. Day to day work will be focused on determining the most efficient process for installing our products, documenting it, communicating this to the operations team, and working with all supporting groups (operations, hardware, software, design, materials, field support) to find and implement solutions that make installing our products even faster. We focus on improving operations by learning, hypothesizing, testing, and iterating, with a consistent goal of optimizing yield and cycle times.
- Develop a standard process for installing energy products that can be scaled and utilized for all jobs across the country, that focuses on maximizing efficiency
- Develop and maintain documentation, including standard operating procedures, work instructions, and process guidelines, to ensure consistent implementation of improved processes
- Analyze and evaluate the current installation processes to identify areas for improvement, specifically targeting installation times and costs
- Develop and implement innovative strategies to streamline the installation workflow, reducing cycle times and increasing productivity without compromising quality or safety standards
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including install design, material supply, warehousing, hardware design, and operations leaders, to identify opportunities for process optimization and cost reduction throughout the entire life cycle of the installs
- Conduct time and motion studies to identify inefficiencies and areas of waste in the installation process, and propose and implement solutions to overcome them
- Utilize data analysis and statistical techniques to assess and monitor process performance, identifying trends, anomalies, and opportunities for improvement
- Stay up to date with industry advancements, technological innovations, and emerging trends in solar roof/solar panel installation, and proactively suggest and implement relevant improvements
- Work closely with hardware design teams to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of introducing hardware changes, new products, or new tools
- Bachelor's degree in Process Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field. Relevant certifications and additional qualifications are a plus
- Proven experience in process improvement, preferably within the construction or renewable energy industry
- Proven experience with root cause analysis using Five Why methodology
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data to drive decision-making
- Strong knowledge of and experience with databases (SQL), programming (Python), and data visualization/reporting (Tableau) is highly desirable
- Proficiency in process mapping, time and motion studies (MODAPTS or other), and Lean/Six Sigma methodologies
- Proficiency in relevant software tools, such as process simulation software, and project management tools is highly desirable
- Familiarity with solar panel and/or solar roof installation techniques, components, and industry standards is a plus
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders
- Detail-oriented mindset with a passion for continuous improvement and efficiency enhancement
- Strong problem-solving abilities and the ability to think creatively to overcome challenges
