Supply Chain Program Manager, AI Hardware Tesla Motors, Inc. 88000 - 198000 USD paid holidays, flex time, 401(k) United States, California, Palo Alto Sep 10, 2026

What to Expect The Tesla AI Hardware Supply Chain team is seeking a Program Manager to support our next generation of AI-focused platforms, with a primary emphasis on hardware for autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots, and AI servers. In this role, you will function as a key liaison between the Supply Chain organization and internal stakeholders, including Tesla's Executive Team, Engineering, Sales, and Manufacturing. This position places significant weight on AI hardware integration, where you will collaborate closely with software developers to develop supply chain program automation tools. These tools will optimize sourcing strategies, new program introduction launch schedules and readiness, cost-saving opportunities, and the full project lifecycle-from design concept and validation, to launch and mass production, through to excess, obsolescence, and service support. Program Managers will work hand-in-hand with Supply Chain Managers and Supplier Industrialization Engineers across all relevant commodities, applying advanced program/project management skills to ensure the timely and efficient execution of Tesla's high-impact AI hardware portfolio. What You'll Do

Represent the Supply Chain organization in meetings with Tesla's Executive Team, providing updates on AI hardware program status, highlighting potential risks, and outlining proposed solutions and mitigation steps with a strong focus on hardware-software integration

Define, implement, and drive execution of project requirements, workflows, and plans, emphasizing automation tools co-developed with software teams to streamline AI hardware supply chain processes

Analyze the complete supply chain for AI hardware projects by defining and measuring performance criteria (e.g., milestone adherence for robot prototypes, sourcing progress for server GPUs, cost savings in vehicle autonomy modules, and operational efficiency) to support strategic decision-making

Manage project timelines and resources for AI hardware initiatives, ensuring risk mitigation actions are identified and in place to guarantee successful launches of autonomous vehicle systems, humanoid robot platforms, and AI server infrastructures

Continuously monitor and measure project processes and activities to prevent delays, with proactive identification of risks in AI hardware sourcing, such as supply disruptions for specialized components in robotics or server farms

Develop robust systems to track progress of critical manufacturing equipment readiness across our global supply chain, tailored to AI hardware needs like high-precision assembly for humanoid joints or scalable production for AI servers

Develop and maintain dashboards to track program status and communicate key AI hardware metrics to the broader organization, including Engineering, Finance, and Manufacturing

Serve as the owner of RFQs and contract management-ensuring Non-Disclosure Agreements, General Terms & Conditions, Piece Price Agreements, and other contracts are negotiated, agreed upon, and documented before initiating business, with a focus on AI hardware IP protection

Drive negotiations for piece price and product development to meet Tesla's best-landed-cost expectations while upholding Supplier Industrialization standards for Best-In-Class quality in AI hardware components

Collaborate closely with software developers to build and refine supply chain automation tools that cover the end-to-end project cycle: from initial design concepts and validation testing, to mass production scaling, and managing excess inventory, obsolescence planning, and long-term service support for AI-driven products What You'll Bring

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or Operations Management, or equivalent experience

At least 5 years of project/program management or strategic supply chain experience in a fast-paced, highly fluid environment; strong preference for experience in manufacturing organizations, particularly with AI hardware, electronics, or automotive/robotics sectors

Demonstrated, applied experience delivering complex programs and projects, ideally involving hardware-software integration for autonomous systems, robotics, or data center infrastructure

Superior analytical skills and the ability to use data and metrics to justify business decisions; knowledge of SQL (mySQL, Postgres, etc.) is a plus for developing automation dashboards

Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and senior leadership on AI hardware initiatives

Experience developing succinct, crisp executive summaries and presenting to leadership, with comfort discussing technical aspects of AI supply chains

Exude executive presence and demonstrate ease presenting in front of Supply Chain leadership and Tesla's Executive Team on behalf of the organization, particularly regarding high-stakes AI projects

Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment to achieve business objectives, including close partnerships with software development teams

Demonstrated ability to establish business process issues and drive process improvements, such as automating supply chain workflows for AI hardware lifecycle management

Open-minded self-starter with the ability to adapt, improvise, and problem-solve in dynamic AI technology landscapes

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

$88,000 - $198,000/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.