Controls Engineer, R&D

We are looking for an engineer who is motivated, analytical, detail-oriented, communicative, and creative to support the Automation Development Agile (R&D) Team in Elgin, Illinois in designing and building the automation and robotic equipment that builds world-class Tesla products. Controls Engineers on the Agile (R&D) team are responsible for owning and implementing equipment from project concept through testing phases; this includes machine concepting, proof-of-principle, electrical design/layout, software design/programming, debug of hardware/software, stress testing, and DoE implementation. The equipment the Agile (R&D) team develops is intended for R&D purposes, to improve existing manufacturing processes or to innovate new ones. Agile projects differ from the broader automation projects within Controls Engineering as they focus primarily on proving concepts on a shorter timeline rather than creating equipment designed for production. Since each Tesla machine is a custom design and build, the Controls Engineer must have a desire to learn and implement rapidly changing technology to deliver the best possible solution with an openness to exploring ideas that may fail.

The candidate takes pride in playing numerous roles as a project advances through its many phases. This candidate appreciates an environment where individuals carry significant responsibility and where excellent work is encouraged, noticed, and rewarded. They cheerfully engage and collaborate with other engineers, and thrive on daily interaction with other top-notch people. This candidate has a keen understanding of how to work with and/or motivate diverse engineering teams, and ideally has a breadth of manufacturing knowledge with a theoretical foundation for approaching problems with multiple strategies using engineering principles while maintaining a focus on learning and progress. Due to the smaller size of this team, engineers that have diverse backgrounds with experience in mechanical, electrical, project management, and manufacturing engineering will bring an added benefit to the team as they can wear multiple hats and fill in where needed.

• Program all software for unique projects with a variety of needs (PLC, HMI/SCADA, Servo, Robotics, Machine Vision, etc.)
• Debug and test all software to meet project requirements. Test run equipment to validate software quality and performance
• Design electrical schematics and select hardware / architecture
• Implementing quick controls solutions for rapid testing
• Test and verify electrical wiring (safety circuits, IO, communications, etc.)
• Work with engineering team to design and run DoE procedures
• Work with assembly personnel and mechanical design engineer to ensure all mechanical setups and alignments are properly completed
• This full-time role may require travel to other Tesla facilities (up to 10-15%)

• 3 or more years of experience in custom automation
• PLC controls (Siemens primary, Rockwell Automation secondary)
• HMI/SCADA (WinCC primary, Ignition secondary)
• Experience with controls hardware including sensors, remote IO, servos, VFDs, machine vision, barcode readers, etc.
• Industrial networking protocols (e.g., Profinet, Ethernet TCP/IP, Ethernet I/P, EtherCAT, etc.)
• Robots: 6-axis (FANUC primary, Kuka secondary)
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls and Computer Control Systems, Mechatronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna 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
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary 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