Sr. Process Design Engineer, Infrastructure Design

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a highly experienced Process Design Engineer with deep chemical engineering expertise and a proven track record of leading complex process scopes to join our R&D/Manufacturing Design team in Fremont, CA. Our design team spearheads the creation of mechanical process systems that enable R&D testing, cell production, and energy manufacturing across Tesla's global sites.

This full-time, onsite role within the infrastructure group demands technical leadership, end-to-end process ownership, and hands-on design excellence across highly technical environments-including dry rooms, clean rooms, and advanced manufacturing facilities. You'll lead process design efforts spanning all Tesla programs-Autopilot, Energy, Vehicle/Semi, AI, Robotics (Optimus), and Cell Manufacturing-delivering scalable, compliant solutions that align with our mission to build a world of amazing abundance.

What You'll Do

* Lead full process design scopes from concept through construction for R&D laboratories, dry rooms, clean rooms, and high-tech manufacturing facilities. Apply advanced chemical engineering fundamentals to solve complex, first-of-kind design challenges across diverse process systems

* Develop and own comprehensive Basis of Design (BoD) documents, process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping & instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), specifications, operating sequences, and construction-ready design packages

* Serve as the technical authority on process design decisions, confidently justifying approaches to leadership and executive teams

* Define and enforce environmental classifications, cleanliness standards, and atmospheric control requirements (e.g., dew point, particulate levels, temperature/humidity) for dry rooms and clean rooms

* Conduct capacity planning, risk analysis, and lifecycle cost assessments for large-scale capital infrastructure projects

* Lead or facilitate process hazard analyses (PHA), HAZOP reviews, and design reviews across all process systems

* Partner with manufacturing, construction, commissioning, and facilities stakeholders to align technical solutions with operational needs and end-user requirements

* Prioritize and deliver high-quality results across multiple concurrent projects in fast-paced, high-stakes environments

* Synthesize complex technical data into compelling presentations and communicate effectively to executive and cross-functional audiences

* Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and cross-functional design team members, fostering alignment and driving technical excellence without direct reporting authority

What You'll Bring

* Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (or closely related discipline); advanced degree preferred, or equivalent experience

* 8+ years of progressive experience in chemical process design, process engineering, or process operations, with significant time spent at both an owner/operator and an EPC/design firm. Emphasis on design of new installations is required

* Demonstrated experience leading process design scopes for dry rooms, clean rooms (ISO Class 5-8), R&D laboratories, and/or advanced manufacturing facilities

* Professional design experience across a wide range of critical utility and process systems, including but not limited to:
Compressed dry air (CDA) and instrument air, RODI/ultrapure water purification and distribution, Industrial water and waste treatment systems, Central vacuum systems, High-purity cryogenic and bulk gas distribution (liquid/gaseous N₂, O₂, Ar, H₂, etc.), HVAC integration for environmental control (dew point, particulate, temperature, humidity), Chemical distribution systems (CDS)

* Experience designing and optimizing abatement and exhaust systems for electrolytes, solvents, and hazardous byproducts (e.g., carbon adsorption beds, regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs), wet/dry scrubbers) to ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations

* Extensive experience in one or more of the following sectors: cell/battery manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, high-tech R&D, biotech/pharmaceutical, or data centers

* Strong working knowledge of North American codes, standards, and…