Associate Joining Engineer – Body (m/w/d)

About the role

Join Tesla's Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg as an Associate Joining Engineer in the Bodyshop Model Y Engineering team. You will design, validate, and optimise joining processes that are critical to the production of high‑volume electric vehicles.

Key responsibilities

• Design, select and validate hot and cold joining systems such as laser welding, resistance spot welding, adhesive bonding, self‑piercing riveting and clinching.
• Optimise joining parameters to meet structural integrity, repeatability and quality standards (ISO, IATF 16949, OEM specs).
• Provide technical support for joining‑related production issues, including process deviations, quality defects and equipment failures.
• Lead root‑cause analyses and implement corrective actions for joining breakdowns.
• Collaborate with maintenance to resolve equipment malfunctions and reduce downtime.
• Develop and deliver hands‑on training for operators and maintenance technicians.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, process flow diagrams, control plans and validation reports.
• Evaluate new joining technologies (hybrid joining, advanced adhesives, friction stir welding) for production feasibility.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Multiple years of experience with adhesive application and mechanical joining processes (self‑piercing riveting, clinching, hemming, auto‑bolting, laser welding, resistance spot welding, projection welding).
• Hands‑on robotics experience in an automotive environment, preferably with Kuka or Fanuc systems.
• Proficiency in CAD tools, especially CATIA, and familiarity with 3D CAD systems.
• Demonstrated data‑driven problem‑solving skills.

Required skills

• Adhesive application
• Self‑piercing riveting
• Clinching
• Hemming
• Auto‑bolting
• Laser welding
• Resistance spot welding
• Projection welding
• Kuka robotics
• Fanuc robotics
• CAD (CATIA)
• 3D CAD systems

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge vehicle manufacturing at a world‑leading EV company.
• Collaborative, fast‑paced environment focused on innovation and sustainability.