Tesla Starts Recruiting For Chinese Gigafactory In Shanghai

Just weeks after Tesla announced a new Gigafactory to be constructed in Shanghai, China, the electric automaker has started hiring.

Job postings on Tesla’s website reveal that it is currently looking to fill at least 14 vacancies, including architectural designer and a senior finance manager. CNBC reports that most of the positions are senior in level and necessitate at least six years’ experience.

While Tesla’s is looking to snap up local talent, it remains to be seen how soon future employees will actually be able to get to work as the Gigafactory hasn’t even broken ground.

Tesla doesn’t need to form a joint venture for its Chinese factory.

This month, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk said the factory will cost roughly $2 billion to construct and confirmed it will be funded with local loans. An agreement was signed with Shanghai authorities for the factory just days after U.S.-Chinese tariffs forced Tesla to dramatically increase the prices of its local models.

The company’s current plan aims to commence production of the first vehicles at the site roughly two years after construction begins. By the time the Gigafactory is complete, it could roll out up to 500,000 vehicles annually.

Elon Musk’s Gigafactory ambitions don’t end in Shanghai. Reports from the start of this month reveal that discussions are being held for Tesla’s fourth Gigafactory to be located in either Germany or the Netherlands. While a final decision has yet to be made, Musk is thought to be favoring Germany, most probably a location near its engineering division in Pruem.