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About the role
Build your Career at Tesla

Sr. Controls Engineer, Automation Development
| Job Category | Manufacturing | | Location | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | | Req. ID | 267808 | | Job Type | Full-time |
What to Expect
Tesla is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to join a world-class team of engineers in our Automation Development organization. The Automation Development organization helps bring Tesla’s vision to reality by designing and building the automated equipment that manufactures Tesla’s world-class products.
As a Senior Controls Engineer, you’ll be the primary technical contributor and owner of station level scopes for new, custom automation equipment projects. You’ll be involved in projects from start to finish, architecting, developing and deploying software for industrial controllers like PLCs, HMIs, robot controllers, machine vision systems and more. New automated manufacturing equipment is designed, built and performance tested by us at our Automation Development site, then shipped to its final destination at a Tesla factory, for final commissioning and start of production.
What You’ll Do
- Help design high performing equipment by collaborating with mechanical & electrical engineers on topics such as machine layout, tooling design, process strategies and hardware selection of motors & drives, actuators, and sensors
- Challenge requirements & assumptions, identify & delete unnecessary parts & processes and find ways to reduce complexity
- Define software architecture by creating diagrams and flow charts for high level topology, device level control, and process sequencing
- Program PLCs and HMIs for state control, motor control, servo motion control, and pneumatic actuations
- Program industrial robots for material handling and process applications
- Work hands-on with the equipment during the debug phase to bring it to a high performing and robust state by performing validations and exception testing for hardware, software, and processes
- Travel to the factory for on-site commissioning of the equipment, performing final validations, and supporting it into production. Ability to travel ~25%, potentially on short notice
What You’ll Bring
- 5+ years’ experience programming, debugging, and commissioning industrial machines of moderate to high complexity
- Experience programming PLCs from brands like Siemens, Beckhoff or Allen Bradley. Siemens PLC programming experience is preferred
- Strong mechanical aptitude and proficiency with hand tools
- Strong electrical aptitude and experience with industrial electrical wiring for 3-Phase AC power and DC control circuits and proficiency with electrical diagnostic tools
- Proficiency with viewing mechanical and electrical CAD documents with software like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Eplan
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience
Compensation and Benefits
Benefits
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Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
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Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
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Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
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Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
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Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
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Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
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401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
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Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
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Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
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Employee Assistance Program
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Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
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Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
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Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
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Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
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Tesla Babies program
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Commuter benefits
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Employee discounts and perks program
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Expected Compensation
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$117,360 - $176,040/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits
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.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, 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.
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