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Tesla posts a Model Y job opening for a Mechanical Design Engineer
Tesla has posted a job opening directly related to the development of its upcoming electric crossover SUV — the Model Y. As could be seen in Tesla’s job listings on its Careers page, the company is currently looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer who would be responsible for designing, developing, and delivering prototype-level components and systems for the Model Y.
The job posting was recently shared on Twitter by auto journalist Bozi Tatarevic, who noted that the Mechanical Design Engineer opening seems to be Tesla’s first public listing for a post that’s specifically for the Model Y. According to the job listing, the Design Engineer that Tesla would hire would work as part of its New Programs Engineering department. Tesla describes the position as follows.
“This position requires frequent interaction with the Vehicle Engineering team and Design team using input from Interior, Exterior, BIW, and Closures. This is a mechanical design position where product design expertise and fundamental, first principles approach to engineering are far more important than extensive project engineering or automotive industry-specific experience.”
Interestingly, one of the requirements for the Mechanical Design Engineer that Tesla is looking for is experience in low-volume (10-25k units/year) production. Knowledge of relevant manufacturing processes and lightweight, recyclable, and sustainable materials is also an advantage.
As we mentioned in a previous report, Tesla is planning on beginning capital investments on the Model Y sometime in the second half of 2018. During the company’s Q4 2017 earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk asserted that while he does not want to jump the gun in announcing the timeline for the Model Y’s development and eventual release, he believes that the company has a good plan for the vehicle’s rollout. Musk further noted that Tesla would be taking all the lessons it had learned in the Model 3 when it starts tackling the Model Y.
“We are going to make some capital investments towards the end of this year related to Model Y. I don’t want to jump the gun on those, but I think we’ve got a good plan. I’m pretty excited about how we’re designing Model Y. It’s really taking a lot of lessons learned from Model 3 and saying how do we design something to be easy to manufacture instead of how to manufacture or difficult, really,” Musk said during the earnings call.
While the design of the Model Y and its features remain closely under wraps, Tesla CEO Elon Musk had already mentioned several notable aspects of the upcoming crossover SUV. According to Musk, Tesla would likely be building the Model Y on the Model 3 platform, which would make the production of the vehicle simpler and easier. Musk also teased that the Model Y would feature far less wiring than the Model S, X, and 3. In comparison to the 3 km of wiring on the Model S and X, and the 1.5 km of wiring on the Model 3, the Tesla CEO has teased that the Model Y could have as little as 150 m of wiring, which is 95% less than the Model 3.
“Model Y will have low technical and production risk as a result (of riding on the Model 3 platform),” according to Musk.
An excerpt from the full job listing on Tesla’s Careers page could be viewed below.
Elon Musk
Tesla Cybercab coming next to Giga Berlin, Optimus possibly after
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said.
Tesla could add the Cybercab and Optimus humanoid robot to the production lineup at Giga Berlin, as per recent comments from CEO Elon Musk.
During a recent interview with Giga Berlin plant manager André Thierig, Musk identified the Cybercab as the most likely next major product for the German factory, with Optimus potentially following after.
“From a next major product standpoint, I think most likely is the Tesla Cybercab,” Musk said. He added that there are also “possibilities of Tesla Optimus” being produced in the facility.
Tesla has already begun production of the Cybercab in Giga Texas, with volume production expected to ramp this year. Based on Musk’s comments, it appears that if conditions align in Europe, Giga Berlin could eventually join that effort.
The CEO’s comments about Optimus coming to Gigafactory Berlin are quite unsurprising too considering that Musk has mentioned in the past that the humanoid robot will likely be Tesla’s highest volume product in the long run.
Giga Berlin will likely be able to produce mass volumes of Optimus, as the Model S and Model X lines being converted to an Optimus line in the Fremont Factory are already expected to produce 1 million units of the humanoid robot annually.
Apart from his comments about the Cybercab and Optimus, Elon Musk also confirmed that Giga Berlin has started ramping battery cell production and will continue expanding Model Y output, particularly as supervised Full Self-Driving (FSD) gains regulatory approvals in Europe.
Taken together, the remarks suggest Berlin’s role could evolve beyond vehicle assembly into a broader multi-product manufacturing hub, not just a regional Model Y plant.
Energy
Tesla Powerwall distribution expands in Australia
Inventory is expected to arrive in late February and official sales are expected to start mid-March 2026.
Supply Partners Group has secured a distribution agreement for the Tesla Powerwall in Australia, with inventory expected to arrive in late February and official sales beginning in mid-March 2026.
Under the new agreement, Supply Partners will distribute Tesla Powerwall units and related accessories across its national footprint, as noted in an ecogeneration report. The company said the addition strengthens its position as a distributor focused on premium, established brands.
“We are proud to officially welcome Tesla Powerwall into the Supply Partners portfolio,” Lliam Ricketts, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation at Supply Partners Group, stated.
“Tesla sets a high bar, and we’ve worked hard to earn the opportunity to represent a brand that customers actively ask for. This partnership reflects the strength of our logistics, technical services and customer experience, and it’s a win for installers who want premium options they can trust.”
Supply Partners noted that initial Tesla Powerwall stock will be warehoused locally before full commercial rollout in March. The distributor stated that the timing aligns with renewed growth momentum for the Powerwall, supported by competitive installer pricing, consumer rebates, and continued product and software updates.
“Powerwall is already a category-defining product, and what’s ahead makes it even more compelling,” Ricketts stated. “As pricing sharpens and capability expands, we see a clear runway for installers to confidently spec Powerwall for premium residential installs, backed by Supply Partners’ national distribution footprint and service model.”
Supply Partners noted that a joint go-to-market launch is planned, including Tesla-led training for its sales and technical teams to support installers during the home battery system’s domestic rollout.
Elon Musk
Tesla Giga Berlin growth could stall if not “free from external influences”: Elon Musk
The comments were delivered in a pre-recorded video discussion.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reportedly warned that future expansion of Gigafactory Berlin could be jeopardized if the site does not remain “free from external influences.”
Musk’s comments were delivered in a pre-recorded video discussion with employees and came at a sensitive moment for the facility, where union representation has been a recurring issue.
According to reports from Handelsblatt and Der Spiegel, citing participants at the event, Musk suggested that if Giga Berlin is no longer “free from external influences,” further expansion would become unlikely. He did not, however, hint that the plant would shut down.
While Musk did not name IG Metall directly, his remarks were widely interpreted as referencing the union, which is currently the largest faction on the works council but does not hold a majority, as noted in an electrive report.
The video conversation was conducted between Musk in Austin and Grünheide plant manager André Thierig, then played back to the workforce in Germany. Works council elections are scheduled for early March, heightening the tension between management and organized labor.
The CEO has previously voiced concerns that stronger union influence could limit Tesla’s operational flexibility and long-term strategy in Germany.
Despite the warning on expansion, Musk praised the Giga Berlin site during the same address, describing it as one of the most advanced factories worldwide and highlighting its cleanliness and team culture.
The discussion also reportedly touched on battery cell production. According to attendees cited in German media, Musk indicated that Tesla has begun ramping cell production at the site. That would mark a notable shift from earlier expectations that large-scale cell manufacturing in Brandenburg would not begin until 2027.
