Manufacturing Equipment Engineer, Powdercoat

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a highly motivated Manufacturing Equipment Engineer to join our Powder coating Production Engineering team and play a pivotal role in sustaining and improving advanced manufacturing equipment in highly automated paint and powder coating manufacturing systems. The ideal candidate has practical experience, a high aptitude for learning and adapting quickly, and a track record of driving continuous improvement through data‑driven problem solving and mechanical design.

Engineers who thrive in a collaborative environment, motivated to work closely with cross‑functional teams and engage with Maintenance Technicians in order to drive operational efficiency, are encouraged to apply.

• Sustain 24/7 manufacturing operations, utilising working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and control systems to respond to escalations and quickly resolve equipment failures or address quality concerns. Employ structured problem‑solving techniques to contain, root‑cause, and eliminate failure modes.
• Take ownership of manufacturing processes, analysing performance metrics and optimising equipment to maximise safety and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), driving world‑class process quality and manufacturing capacity. Collaborate with Control, Process, and Quality Engineers to drive continuous improvement projects to optimise production line serviceability, reliability, throughput, and process capability.
• Lead the design, development, and deployment of equipment upgrades or installations, coordinating with internal teams or external integrators. Develop and maintain equipment and process documentation such as Equipment Maintenance Specifications, safety guidelines, BOMs, schematics, and operation procedures. Conduct risk assessments for equipment under development and lead safety buy‑offs before launch.
• Design NFPA
  79/NEC/UL508A‑compliant control panels and create detailed electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement ANSI/RIA
  15.06/OSHA‑compliant safety systems for new or modified equipment.
• Partner with Maintenance Technicians on servicing and improving manufacturing equipment. Collaborate on the implementation or improvement of Preventive and Corrective Maintenance procedures and provide training on the critical skills necessary for equipment repair or modification.

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (preferred Mechanical or Mechatronic), or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in an automated, fast‑paced manufacturing environment, including exposure to safety best practices and change management systems.
• Strong mechanical design and analysis skills, engineering mechanics and kinematics fundamentals. Experience with 3D CAD design and tooling manufacturing;
  Solid Works required.
• Practical experience with the operation and maintenance of manufacturing equipment and systems, including conveyors, pneumatics, servos, automated paint equipment, and automated fasteners or dispense. First‑hand experience with specific equipment manufacturers such as SEW, Atlas Copco, Gema, MS Carlisle, Nordson, Wagner, Durr, etc. is preferred.
• Expertise with reading and interpreting mechanical drawings and electrical schematics. Working familiarity with automation control systems PLC/HMI/SCADA (preferably Siemens with TIA portal or Allen Bradley) and motor controller integration; familiarity with safety PLCs.
• Experience commissioning and improving manufacturing equipment. Demonstrated track record of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) improvement, strong problem‑solving skills, and an aptitude for learning systems quickly. Knowledge of structured problem‑solving techniques such as DMAIC, Ishikawa, Five Why (5W) or Eight Disciplines (8D).
• Capacity for self‑motivation and good judgment, comfort with managing a broad scope of responsibilities with a strong emphasis on teamwork. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, complemented by proven project management experience.
• Experience with industrial robot programming (Fanuc, Kuka, Durr, Cartesian, SCARA, or articulated systems).
• Knowledge or experience in an industrial paint shop is…