Automation Controls Engineer

What To Expect

Tesla is seeking a highly motivated Controls Engineer to contribute to the design and development of robust and stable automation equipment and assembly lines. You will join a world‑class team of engineers responsible for designing, building, and deploying Tesla in‑house discrete and process automation equipment solutions for Optimus, cell manufacturing, energy, and vehicle general assembly.

The Controls Engineer will work to design and develop automation and process concepts along with several cross functional teams. The candidate will create a robust software architecture to support the concept; once the concept is developed, they will program controls components such as PLC, safety devices, HMI, servo drives, various third‑party hardware from power‑on to debug, and finally to process fine tuning and validation.

The Controls Engineer collaborates closely with cross‑functional teams such as Electrical and Mechanical Design Engineering, Project Management, and other Controls Engineers throughout the entire life cycle of the equipment from initial design, through development and into full production.

All levels of candidates are encouraged to apply, leveling shall be determined by the candidate's experience, skillset and the hiring manager.

• Architect, write, and debug structured text logic with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable & reusable with error handling & recovery. PLC code will interact with subsystems such as conveyors, welding, various testers, Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Lab View, machine vision & other third‑party equipment
• Implement (ANSI, RIA
  15.06, OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors & other high‑volume manufacturing equipment
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens for complex machinery while providing sufficient feedback for troubleshooting
• Responsible for ramp of manufacturing lines including automation equipment, robots, electromechanical systems, PLCs, motion controls, & vision systems
• Responsible for debugging & optimizing automated processes to maximize cycle time, improve availability & yield
• Introduce automated processes into production, train maintenance & production teams to support after deployment into production
• Interface with the Tesla Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to communicate product acceptability, machine status & process variables
• Responsible for characterization & validation of automated processes using a data driven approach such as simulation, Capacity and Capability statistical test (Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility test, Cpk, etc.)
• Spearhead your own continuous improvement efforts in the endeavor to create reliable & efficient code

• Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent Majors in: Controls or Computer Control Systems, Mechatronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, etc.) or equivalent experience
• 4+ years of experience as a hands‑on Controls Engineer or Applications Engineer working on automation and, or electromechanical systems
• Demonstrated excellence in programming PLCs such as Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen Bradley with ladder, structured text and other IEC programming languages and using them in process integration or electromechanical & mechatronic systems
• Human Machine Interface (WinCC, Ignition, Twin Cat HMI, GUI - Factory Talk)
• Safety PLCs (Simatic Safety, Beckhoff TwinSAFE, Allen Bradley Control Logix)
• Knowledge of Electrical and Safety Standards (NFPA
  79, National Electric code, UL508A, ANSI, RIA
  15.06, OSHA)
• Exposure to a wide variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (LVDT and pressure transducers, dispense systems, temperature controllers, DC nutrunner torque controllers, current and power meters, etc.)
• Various communication platforms such as Profinet, Profibus, Ether
  
  CAT, Ether Net/IP, RS-232
• Must be able to travel both domestically and internationally, must have and maintain a valid passport, travel can be 25% of time, during busy project season can travel up to 50%