Controls Engineer in Cell Manufacturing

What To Expect
Tesla is seeking a Production Sustaining Controls Engineer to join our Cell Controls Engineering (CCE) team. This world-class group of engineers is responsible for designing, deploying, and maintaining the automation and robotic equipment that powers Tesla's factories. As a Production Sustaining Controls Engineer, you will focus on supporting, troubleshooting, and optimizing controls systems in live production environments.

Your responsibilities include maintaining uptime and reliability of automation systems such as robotics, high-speed conveyance, automated storage and retrieval systems, automated guided vehicles, fixtures, and related equipment. You will lead diagnostics, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring safety and compliance across systems.

Controls Engineers in this sustaining role own tasks such as equipment troubleshooting, hardware and robot program adjustments, commissioning of upgrades, auditing, system performance tracking, and installation support. You will also collaborate with design engineers to feedback lessons learned from production into future equipment development.

The key objective of this role is to keep Tesla's advanced automated manufacturing equipment running at peak performance and to continually improve system robustness to help Tesla achieve its ambitious production goals. This position is based at our Tesla facilities in Berlin, Germany.

What You'll Do- Program and debug structure text and ladder logic code Beckhoff PLC controller platforms
- Develop code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable and reusable
- Create robust programs and sequences to control complex, multi-station machinery to perform processes such as material pick and place, dispense, fastening, welding, testing and material transport
- Use Python scripting and SQL to interface equipment with Tesla Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and to collect data into production databases
- Create intuitive operator touchscreen interfaces using TwinCAT HMI/WinCC and SCADA dashboards screens using Ignition
- Set up and tune servo drives and VFDs for fast and smooth operation (Beckhoff, Siemens, SEW)
- Design and implement control reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other high-volume manufacturing equipment as per German codes and standards (DIN, VDE, etc.)
- Participate in initial equipment conceptual development and carefully balance product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead-time limits
- Enforce application of Tesla controls standards, manage suppliers during specification, design review, design approval
- Manage suppliers during specification, design, buyoff and installation of automated manufacturing equipment
- Introduce automated processes into production, and train and equip Sustaining Team to support automated equipment after deployment into production
- Establish test plans and control test plan execution
What You'll Bring- In dept knowledge of Beckhoff controls systems
- Good Structured Text (IEC programming skills
- Able to use common hand tools and diagnostic instruments such as multi-meters
- Proficiency in field network topology, both theory and practical applications
- Very good written and spoken German and English skills
- Multi-tasking ability to manage multiple projects at the same time
- Able to work under pressure in the presence of stakeholders
- Degree as Bachelor / Master / Dipl.-Ing. (TH / FH) specializing in Electrical, Mechanical or Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Science or the equivalent in experience and evidence of exceptional ability
- At least 2 years of relevant professional experience in Controls Engineering
Nice to Have

• Exposure to a wide variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (LVDT and pressure transducers, dispense systems, temperature controllers, DC nutrunner torque controllers, current and power meters, etc.)
• Understanding of databases and various program languages (Java, Python).
• HMI programming experience – TwinCAT HMI, WinCC and Ignition
• Robotic programming skills
• Controls panel electrical design
  , Tesla