Sr. Manager, Operations, Solar Manufacturing

Tesla Motors, Inc.
paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
United States, Texas, Brookshire
May 15, 2026
What to Expect The Sr. Manager, Operations is a founding leader in our new Solar Manufacturing group, with full accountability for production, engineering, and maintenance across a greenfield facility. This is a high-impact, hands-on role for an experienced manufacturing executive who thrives on building organizations from the ground up - launching operations, scaling teams, and instilling a culture of safety, quality, and relentless improvement. You will set the operational tone for the entire site and be a key driver in making this a world-class manufacturing operation. What You'll Do Own the full operations scope. Lead production, engineering, and maintenance as an integrated operation - accountable for safety, quality, first-time yield (FTY), uptime, delivery-to-plan, staffing, and cost Launch and scale. Spearhead the start-up, ramp, and optimization of the large scale, key process facility - from equipment commissioning through full-rate production - with urgency and precision Build and lead the team. Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing organization of salaried and hourly team members; set clear expectations, coach relentlessly, and hold the bar high Drive operational discipline. Establish and sustain process control systems, 5S standards, documentation practices, and daily/weekly/monthly KPI rhythms that keep the operation running at peak performance Champion safety and quality. Create a zero-compromise culture around safety and product quality; ensure best practices are embedded into every process and every layer of the team Deliver continuous improvement. Identify, prioritize, and execute CI initiatives across safety, environmental, quality, cost, efficiency, and throughput; benchmark externally and bring best practices in Maintain equipment and facilities. Drive implementation of a robust preventative maintenance program; act decisively on corrective actions to keep equipment in optimal condition and minimize downtime Lead new product and process introductions. Partner with design and engineering teams to manage NPI and material introductions - owning process plans, budget tracking, schedule adherence, and risk mitigation What You'll Bring Degree in Engineering or equivalent professional experience 12+ years in high-volume, high-speed manufacturing - solar or semiconductor strongly preferred; 9+ years in progressive operations leadership roles Proven builder.Demonstrated success recruiting, developing, and scaling top-performing manufacturing organizations - from start-up through steady-state at volume Start-up and ramp expertise.Hands-on experience leading greenfield process and equipment start-ups, managing ramp curves, and closing gaps quickly NPI fluency.Track record managing new product and material introductions in a high-complexity manufacturing environment Analytical rigor.Data-driven decision-maker who leverages metrics, root-cause analysis, and structured problem-solving to drive outcomes Grace under pressure.Thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments; manages competing priorities, hits deadlines, and follows through without losing composure Communication. Clear, direct communicator - equally effective on the shop floor and in front of senior leadership; fluent in multi-cultural, multi-functional team environments Drive and ownership.Strong sense of urgency, bias to action, and personal accountability for results 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: 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