I have always been interested in Tesla and I have both automotive and solar module manufacturing experience. I also am from Silicon Valley, so I understand the culture.
I was recruited by a former co-worker and then I did 2 screening phone calls with a HR recruiter for a number of jobs for the Solar Roof that I could do. The HR recruiters were very knowledgeable, but very disorganized and late to get back to you. Every time they they phoned me they sounded like they were stuck in a boxy closet with a booming echo, which I pointed out was not optimal for a phone interview.
Then, I had a 30 min phone interview with a Engineer. They told me the engineers name, so I looked him up on LinkedIn and found out that he was not very experienced. I have 12 years experience. This is OK, but he did not have interviewing skills and was trying to fault find. I found myself repeating simple concepts so that he could understand. The engineer was also in the same booming echo room. You would think the engineer would be able to problem solve the echo problem. ;)
Tesla Solar gave me the impression of a disorganized garage startup. I did not get the impression that I would be working for or with anyone that I wanted work with. The hours sounded long and the position sounded like a gear in a machine.
Also, the salary sounded low in exchange for stock that vested after 1, 2,3 and 4 years, so you better be around long enough to vest.
Ultimately, I was rejected. A reason was sighted, that did not make any sense. I emailed asking about it with no response.
I ended up finding a much better job in a small office with good work /life balance and really good pay and I stopped perusing Tesla Solar and Tesla Motors.