Automation Equipment Engineer, General Assembly, Megafactory

What to Expect As a key member of the Production Engineering team, the Automation Equipment Engineer will be responsible for operating, sustaining, and improving advanced, highly automated paint and powder coating manufacturing systems. This role combines hands-on support of electromechanical systems with control systems development and continuous improvement initiatives. You'll collaborate across teams to deliver world-class manufacturing performance and standardization across equipment lines. Candidates with a strong aptitude for learning and solving complex problems in a fast-paced environment will thrive in this role.

This role will be based out of the Greater Houston Area (TX) and will require 90% travel to the Bay Area (CA) to support early builds and validation support for the next 6-12 months.

What You'll Do

• Sustain 24/7 production operations by quickly responding to and resolving issues, focusing on paint/powder coat systems, ovens, and related equipment

• Develop, debug, and document PLC code (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff) to control robots, conveyors, MES, vision, and third-party equipment

• Program and teach industrial 6-axis robots (Fanuc, Kuka, Durr) and sequence complex multi-station automation

• Design user-friendly HMI, SCADA, and ANDON interfaces to enhance operator usability and uptime

• Drive continuous improvement projects to improve safety, quality, cost, and OEE metrics, including ownership of line- and station-level KPIs

• Design NFPA79/NEC/UL508A-compliant control panels and create detailed electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics

• Conduct risk assessments and implement ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA-compliant safety systems for new or modified equipment

• Lead equipment upgrades, retrofits, and repairs with a focus on reliability, process capability, and maintainability

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to standardize controls and automation practices across multiple lines

• Take initiative to create and improve standard operating procedures and documentation within your area of ownership

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Robotics Engineering, or equivalent experience

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with automation systems and electromechanical equipment in a manufacturing environment

• Proficient in PLC programming (Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff) and motor controller integration; familiarity with safety PLCs

• Experience with industrial robot programming (Fanuc, Kuka, Durr, Cartesian, SCARA, or articulated systems)

• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills under tight timing constraints

• Familiarity with paint shop systems and processes: powder supply/reclaim, dust collectors, humidifiers, IR ovens, sealant dispense, conveyors

• Experience designing in CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, or EPLAN)

• Proven ability to support full project lifecycle from scoping through implementation and handoff

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, 24/7 manufacturing environment and provide on-call support as needed

• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset to work across engineering, production, and maintenance teams

Compensation and Benefits 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