Project Engineer, Lithium Refinery

Description:
Tesla’s Gulf Coast Lithium Refinery is seeking an experienced Project Engineer to provide technical engineering leadership in the design, execution, and commissioning of small-to-medium capital projects, equipment upgrades, and process modifications for our novel flowsheet. This role owns the engineering deliverables that ensure inherent safety, mechanical integrity, and long-term reliability of assets converting spodumene concentrate to battery-grade lithium hydroxide in a fast-paced and innovative environment while directly supporting the Maintenance, Reliability, Process Controls, and Process Safety teams.

Responsibilities:
Lead the full engineering scope of capital projects and site modifications—from conceptual design through detailed engineering, procurement support, construction oversight, and startup—applying first-principles thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, fluid mechanics, and materials science to optimize pressure leach autoclaves, calciners, pressure filters, crystallizers, slurry pumps, and solids handling systems
Develop, review, and approve process and mechanical deliverables including P&IDs, equipment datasheets, piping specifications, relief system calculations, and hydraulic models to ensure compliance with ASME, API, and regulatory requirements
Lead or support Management of Change (MOC) and Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR) processes, performing technical risk assessments and verifying layers of protection in alignment with the site PSM program (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119)
Provide field engineering support during project installation, outage execution, and commissioning, resolving design or installation issues in real time to minimize schedule impact and ensure post-startup performance targets (MTBF, availability, efficiency) are achieved
Collaborate cross-functionally with Reliability Engineering, Process Safety, Procurement & Materials, and Operations to integrate predictive maintenance features, corrosion monitoring, and control system enhancements into project designs
Conduct technical evaluations of vendor packages, perform design reviews, and apply root-cause analysis to drive lessons-learned into future projects, focusing on total cost of ownership and OpEx reduction
Track project engineering KPIs (design quality, change order rate, and commissioning success) and contribute to continuous improvement of project execution standards and templates

Requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent Experience in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline from an ABET-accredited program
5+ years of progressive project engineering experience in chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, mineral processing, or refining
Demonstrated proficiency in developing and reviewing process/mechanical deliverables, performing hydraulic and relief calculations, and applying codes/standards (ASME, API 510/570/580, NFPA)
Working knowledge of CMMS/ERP systems, project management tools (MS Project or equivalent), and first-principles engineering software (Aspen, AutoCAD Plant 3D, or equivalent)
Proven ability to deliver safe, on-time, and on-budget technical solutions in a PSM-regulated, commissioning-to-steady-state refinery environment
Strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills with a passion for applying rigorous engineering fundamentals to real-world lithium refinery challenges

Compensation & Benefits:
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