What to Expect
The R&D and Facilities Infrastructure team is seeking a hands-on Controls Field Engineer to support control systems across Tesla infrastructure sites. This field-focused role emphasizes on-site PLC programming, startup, commissioning, loop checks, troubleshooting, and sustaining operations. You will spend the majority of your time in the field delivering, validating, and maintaining reliable control solutions while collaborating with process design, construction, commissioning, facilities, and third-party vendors.
What You'll Do
- Perform on-site PLC programming, developing organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable code for life safety, HVAC, process, and infrastructure systems
- Execute field startup, commissioning, loop checks, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) to validate system performance
- Troubleshoot and resolve control system faults in live production environments through rapid diagnosis, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
- Develop, modify, and maintain Ignition SCADA projects in the field, including HMI/screens, dashboards, and alarms (Perspective and Vision)
- Integrate and commission third-party packaged equipment and systems using OPC-UA, Modbus TCP, BACnet, EtherNet/IP, Profinet, and related protocols, perform PID tuning and optimization.
- Implement, test, and validate safety-rated control systems, emergency response, and life safety devices during field commissioning and operations
- Provide ongoing sustaining support for running systems, including system modifications, performance improvements, and minimization of downtime
- Support field instrumentation activities, including verification, calibration checks, and seamless integration with control architectures
- Maintain accurate as-built and operational documentation (I/O lists, loop diagrams, control narratives, tag conventions) throughout commissioning and sustaining phases
- Coordinate on-site with construction, operations, maintenance, and vendors to ensure safe, reliable handoff and long-term system performance
What You'll Bring
- 4+ years of hands-on controls/I&C experience in industrial or manufacturing facilities, with majority of time spent in field programming, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting or equivilent experience
- Strong PLC programming experience on platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, or Beckhoff TwinCAT
- Proven Ignition SCADA experience (v7.9 or newer), including Perspective, Vision, Gateway configuration, and field modifications
- Demonstrated expertise executing loop checks, FAT/SAT, startup, and commissioning of control systems in live or production environments
- Excellent troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills for rapid resolution of issues on running systems
- Working knowledge of industrial protocols: OPC-UA, Modbus TCP, BACnet, EtherNet/IP, Profinet, EtherCAT, and similar
- Hands-on experience with safety-rated systems, safety PLCs, SIL loops, and life safety/emergency devices
- Experience with field instrumentation (transmitters, valves, analyzers), including 4-20 mA, HART, calibration, and integration
- Ability to read/produce and work from electrical/controls drawings, panel layouts, loop diagrams, P&IDs, and I/O lists
- Willingness and ability to work primarily on-site, including support for commissioning, off-hours troubleshooting, and 24/7 production environments as needed
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
Expected Compensation
$108,000 - $240,000/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.
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