Lead Controls Engineer, Cell Formation

The 4680 Cell is one of the most complex and challenging components designed and manufactured at Tesla. This is an exciting opportunity to build a world-class manufacturing facility right here in Austin.

About the role

Tesla is seeking a highly motivated Controls Engineer to support the ramp of the factory and contribute to the design of robust and stable equipment. This Engineer will be at the forefront of controls technology and will be responsible for the advanced cell manufacturing equipment that produces Tesla’s cutting-edge batteries. The Controls Engineer will also work with cross-functional teams throughout the entire lifecycle of the product and processes.

Responsibilities

• Ramp manufacturing lines including mechanical automation equipment, robots, electromechanical systems, PLCs, motion controls, and vision systems
• Program state machines for complex processes which involve conveyor processing, multi-station parallel processing, stamping machine, data acquisition, and PID control
• Manage Safety standards (ANSI/RIA15.06, OSHA), implementing controls reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other high-volume manufacturing equipment
• Define and manage a methodology for maintaining PLC code structure and backups
• Design robust, stable, fault-tolerant systems with error handling and recovery
• Train technicians on the maintenance and repair of your controls systems
• Manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, pneumatic and fluid plumbing
• Participate in early-stage equipment concept development, balancing product specs, process needs, layout complexity, cost, and lead time
• Mentor and guide a small team of Controls Engineers, fostering technical growth, problem-solving skills, and ownership
• Coordinate team workload, timelines, and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects

Requirements

Required qualifications include a degree or equivalent experience in an engineering discipline and 7+ years of experience as a hands-on mechanical/manufacturing controls Engineer working on automation and/or electromechanical systems. Advanced proficiency in programming industrial equipment in all IEC 61131-3 languages with a focus on structured text and ladder logic, experience with Automated Warehousing, and experience implementing and maintaining a database are preferred.

Skills

• Advanced proficiency in programming industrial equipment in all IEC 61131-3 languages with a focus on structured text and ladder logic
• Experience with Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff, Rockwell etc.
• Safety PLCs (Siemens, Allen Bradley, Beckhoff etc.)
• Human Machine Interface (HMI / GUI - AB Panelview, Ignition, TIA/WinCC, B&R, etc.)
• Field bus Networks (EtherCAT, ProfiNet, ProfiBud, Modbus, Powerlink, RS232, etc.) and OPC UA
• PLCs, SCADA, MES, and other systems
• Programming Cartesian, SCARA and Articulated robots (Fanuc, Kuka, etc.)
• Preferred experience with Vision systems (Cognex, Keyence, etc.)

Benefits

Benefits include competitive pay, medical plans, dental (including orthodontic coverage), vision plans, company-paid healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts, 401(k) with employer match, employee stock purchase plans, and other financial benefits. Tesla also offers commuter benefits, employee discounts and perks, and a variety of voluntary benefits such as critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance. Additionally, Tesla provides weight loss and tobacco cessation programs, a Tesla Babies program, and commuter benefits.