Controls Engineer

The R&D and Facilities Infrastructure team is seeking a driven and highly motivated Controls Engineer to join a team accountable for the delivery and sustained operation of control systems across Tesla's infrastructure sites. This role demands proven experience across the complete I&C project lifecycle, from instrumentation design and control system architecture through PLC programming, Ignition SCADA development, commissioning, and long-term sustaining operations. You will collaborate closely with process design teams, construction and commissioning teams, facilities engineers, and 3rd party equipment vendors to deliver reliable, safe, and maintainable control solutions.

• Develop PLC code with an emphasis on generating organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable code for a diverse range of industrial systems including life safety, HVAC, and process systems
• Design and implement advanced PLC control strategies for complex infrastructure and facilities systems ensuring reliable, safe, and efficient operation across all process environments
• Develop and maintain Ignition SCADA projects including screen and HMI development, dashboards, and alarm management interfaces using Perspective and Vision modules
• Extend and maintain Ignition platform capabilities including alarm management, historian, reporting pipelines, and custom scripting to deliver actionable operational data across facility systems
• Integrate 3rd party packaged equipment and power monitoring systems via OPC-UA, Modbus TCP, BACnet, EtherNet/IP, and Profinet. Implement and optimize control strategies including PID tuning to improve process quality, productivity, and uptime
• Oversee I&C commissioning activities including development and execution of factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and loop checks to validate system performance against design requirements prior to production handoff
• Own the implementation and validation of safety-rated control systems including emergency response and life safety devices across facility and process environments
• Provide sustaining operations support for running production systems including fault diagnosis, root cause analysis, corrective action implementation, and system modifications
• Develop and maintain comprehensive project documentation including process control narratives, P&IDs, I/O lists, loop diagrams, instrument datasheets, and tag naming conventions. Ensure documentation remains current through design, commissioning, and long-term operations
• Drive the design and specification of field instrumentation systems ensuring measurement accuracy, calibration traceability, and seamless integration with control system architecture

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in instrumentation and controls engineering supporting industrial manufacturing or production facilities across the full project lifecycle from design through commissioning and sustaining operations
• Demonstrated experience with PLC programming across one or more platforms including Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley, or Beckhoff TwinCAT
• Experience working with modern industrial communication protocols: OPC-UA, Modbus TCP, BACnet, Profinet, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP
• Proven experience with Ignition SCADA (versions 7.9 and newer), including Perspective, Vision, and Gateway configuration
• Experience selecting, specifying, calibrating, and maintaining field instrumentation including transmitters, analyzers, and control valves. Working knowledge of HART and 4-20mA instrumentation standards
• Demonstrated experience personally owning and executing controls and instrumentation projects from concept development through commissioning, ramp-up, and long-term sustaining operations in a 24/7 production or manufacturing facility
• Troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills with demonstrated ability to rapidly diagnose and resolve control system faults in a running production environment
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals and demonstrated ability to leverage this understanding to solve challenging technical problems
• Hands-on experience with safety-rated control systems including SIL-rated loops, safety PLCs, and emergency response devices
• Experience participating in process hazard reviews and HAZOPs. Familiarity with Management of Change (MOC) processes and ability to read and produce documentation including panel layouts, cable schedules, and termination drawings

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
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)

Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.