A recent Tesla job posting indicates that development of the next-generation Roadster is still in its early phases, nearly eight years after its initial announcement. The role focuses on battery manufacturing equipment for the vehicle. This suggests production is approaching but remains some time away.
The next-generation Tesla Roadster was first announced in November 2017, promising a high-performance electric sports car. As of late October 2025, nearly eight years later, the project is still in the early stages of development, according to a company job posting highlighted by automotive news outlets.
Tesla is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to contribute to the concept development and launch of battery manufacturing equipment specifically for the 'cutting-edge next-generation Roadster vehicle.' The posting describes the role as involving 'large scale manufacturing systems for new battery products and architectures from the early concept development stage through equipment launch, optimization and handover to local operations teams.' It emphasizes that 'battery development is at the heart of our company, and this is an exciting opportunity to work directly on the central challenges for the all-new Roadster product architecture while still in its early development stages.'
Analysts view this as the first real sign that Roadster production is getting closer, though it underscores the project's prolonged timeline. The focus on battery architecture highlights Tesla's ongoing innovations in electric vehicle technology, central to the Roadster's design.