Tesla moves fast. The company’s pace is relentless, a constant cycle of iteration, problem-solving, and reinvention. So when Tesla recruiters and engineers visited Kettering University, they weren’t just looking for students who could crunch numbers or ace a test.
They were looking for builders.
“Show us what you’ve done, not just where you’ve worked,” recruiter Libby Jones told students during Tesla Day on February 5. “We don’t just want to see job titles. We want to know what problems you’ve solved, what projects you’ve taken ownership of, and how you’ve pushed yourself to be better.”
That's what Kettering students already do every day. From day one, they’re thrown into a world where they’re expected to contribute, build, test, and improve. Through the University’s signature Co-op program, they step out of the classroom and into engineering teams tackling real-world problems. Whether it’s Formula SAE, Baja, autonomous systems, or electric vehicles, Kettering students don’t just theorize — they execute.
That’s exactly what Tesla is looking for.
"At Kettering, we don’t just set students up for jobs — we create opportunities for them to prove what they can do,” said Enza Sleva, Kettering University's Chief Student Experience Officer. “Our role is to get them in front of the right people, in the right places, with the right experiences to back them up. When Tesla comes looking for builders, we know our students are ready to show what they’ve done."
One of the key themes of the visit was evidence of excellence — Tesla’s guiding principle for evaluating potential hires. It’s not about checking boxes on a resume; it’s about proving that a candidate has the drive, adaptability, and ingenuity to thrive in an environment that demands constant improvement.
Thad Ayres M’08, a Kettering alumnus and senior manager of semi service at Tesla, knows that expectation firsthand. “The evidence of exceptional ability — that’s the most important requirement. As a hiring manager at Tesla, if you can’t answer that, I can’t answer that for you. You don’t go to the next round, whether it’s a resume review or an interview. You have to have an answer for that.”
During the visit, Tesla’s engineers shared stories of their career paths — some conventional, some anything but. One had spent 13 years in satellite communications before pivoting to electric trucks. Another moved from automation and robotics to factorywide production systems. What they all had in common was a hunger to solve problems, an ability to adapt quickly, and a willingness to dive into the unknown.
It’s that same mindset that fuels Kettering’s approach to education. The University produces more than graduates. It creates engineers, innovators, and leaders who can thrive in high-stakes environments where change is the only constant.
Tesla moves fast. Kettering students do, too. And for those ready to prove they can build, solve, and push the boundaries of what’s possible, the opportunities are there.
