Controls Engineering Manager, Cell Assembly

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a highly motivated Controls Engineering Manager to build and lead a team of Controls Engineers supporting the design and development of new automation equipment and assembly lines for our GFTX Cell Assembly team — advanced cell manufacturing for Tesla Energy Batteries.

The battery is one of the most complex and challenging components designed and manufactured at Tesla, and this role is a chance to help build a world-class manufacturing facility right here in the Bay Area. Tesla is a demanding, fast-paced environment, and this role owns a critical subsystem of some of our most exciting products.

The Controls Engineering Manager will partner with cross-functional teams across the full product and process lifecycle — working closely with Engineering (Design and Manufacturing), Quality, and Production to take new products from initial design through prototype development and into full production.

What You'll Do

• Lead a team of engineers commissioning and ramping manufacturing lines, including mechanical automation equipment, robots, electromechanical system design, PLCs, motion control, and vision systems
• Lead the team in developing clean, intuitive HMI screens for complex machinery that still provide sufficient feedback for troubleshooting
• Lead a team programming state machines for complex processes involving multi-station parallel processing, pick-and-place automation, data acquisition, and PID control
• Own safety standards (ANSI/RIA15.06, OSHA) and the implementation of reliable controls safety systems to safeguard robots, gantries, conveyors, and other high-volume manufacturing equipment
• Define and manage a well-defined methodology for PLC code structure and backups
• Lead the design of fault-tolerant systems with error handling and recovery, and train technicians to reduce downtime
• Lead the hiring and selection of Controls and Automation Engineers to support mass production
• Lead and manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, and pneumatic/fluid plumbing
• Lead the integration of machine interactions with the plant-wide Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to communicate product acceptability, machine status, and process variables

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years of proven experience leading a technical team of automation and controls engineers
• Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience (Controls and Computer Control Systems, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related field)
• 10+ years of hands-on experience as a mechanical/manufacturing controls engineer working on automation and/or electromechanical systems
• Advanced proficiency programming ladder/structured logic PLCs (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, Beckhoff, Omron, Siemens) and safety PLCs (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, SmartGuard, Omron, Pilz)
• Experience with HMI/GUI platforms (AB PanelView, Ignition), fieldbus networks (AB DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, safety-rated fieldbus networks), and serial (RS-232) and Ethernet communication between PLCs, instruments, and database systems
• Proficiency selecting and integrating circuit protection, wire and cable, sensors, safety hardware, PLC hardware, remote I/O, VFDs, and servo systems
• Experience programming Cartesian, SCARA, and articulated robots (Fanuc, KUKA, etc.) preferred
• Experience with vision systems (Cognex, Keyence, etc.) preferred
• Experience with semi-automated/automated high-speed manufacturing equipment preferred
• Willingness to work with materials and PPE (including nitrile rubber) required in a battery manufacturing environment

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program

Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.