What to Expect
As Production Supervisor, you are the first-line leader on the trial floor: assign daily work, coach technicians through changing standard work, and own shift performance on safety, quality, and trial output. You will partner with Engineering, NPI, Quality, and Material Flow to close issues in real time. This is a hands-on role. Trial results inform whether a product is ready for factory introduction, so execution quality and feedback discipline matter as much as units completed.
Kato Road is where Tesla runs manufacturing trials for new product introduction — proving process, equipment, and build sequence before volume ramp at the factories.
What You'll Do
- Lead a team of production technicians and associates through daily NPI trial builds — assign work, balance labor, coach in real time on build sequence, quality checks, 5S, and problem-solving, and hold the team to the trial plan
- Own shift-level safety, quality, and throughput — stop work when conditions are unsafe or out of standard and document incidents promptly
- Execute established trial processes and standard work, escalating gaps in process, parts, or equipment rather than inventing unapproved workarounds
- Track and communicate shift KPIs (safety, first-pass yield, units vs. plan, downtime) and run a structured shift handover
- Support Engineering and NPI during trials by capturing build issues, feeding back process observations, validating work instructions, and implementing engineering changes, new equipment, and updated work instructions
- Drive small, local process improvements in layout, sequencing, and visual controls that improve trial repeatability without changing product or process intent
- Partner with Quality and Material Flow to contain defects, confirm part readiness, and keep the trial line supplied while documenting trial execution, deviations, and operator feedback so downstream factories inherit a proven process
What You'll Bring
- 2+ years of manufacturing, operations, or production leadership, or equivalent hands-on leadership of hourly technical teams, with proven ability to assign daily work, coach on process, and hold a team accountable to safety, quality, and output
- Comfortable operating in a changing NPI environment where product, process, and work instructions iterate frequently
- Working knowledge of standard manufacturing practices including 5S, standard work, layered audits, and basic problem-solving (5-Why / Pareto) Ability to follow work instructions, interpret quality data, and communicate issues clearly to Engineering and peer supervisors
- Strong floor presence and bias to action, spending the shift on the line with the team Flexibility to work the shifts required by trial schedules, including nights, weekends, and off-shift coverage
- Experience in automotive, electronics, battery, or high-mix prototype / NPI manufacturing
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
Expected Compensation
$96,000 - $144,000/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.
