What to Expect Tesla's Manufacturing Engineering team is at the forefront of developing first-of-a-kind processes which allow us to produce amazing vehicles at best-in-class quality and rate, in a safe and ergonomic environment. We are seeking a Controls Development Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of Siemens-based controls systems for manufacturing equipment and automation. This includes controls architecture, SIMATIC PLC/HMI/safety software, industrial networking, equipment specification, and installation and commissioning. The candidate will work closely with internal cross-functional teams, external vendors, and technology partners on controls development from concept to production. This position requires 25% travel. What You'll Do Lead cross-functional collaboration across process, equipment, mechanical, electrical, project management, and manufacturing stakeholders Document controls and equipment requirements, including I/O lists, network architecture, sequence of operations, safety requirements, and interface specifications Analyze controls architecture cost per unit and drive systems that maximize uptime, cycle time, and maintainability; lead design for controls/automation, reducing complexity and recoverability risk to lowest overall cost (equipment + integration + operating) Develop Siemens controls systems from concept to serial production, including
SIMATIC S7
PLC and failsafe (F/H) safety PLC software in TIA Portal, Win
CC HMI, SINAMICS
motion, PROFINET networks, and integration with robots, CNCs, conveyance, and auxiliary equipment Perform detailed controls design based on process requirements, throughput, cycle time, and OEE, including fault handling, recovery sequences, and production data collection Define and optimize Siemens controls standards, TIA Portal project architecture, and reusable code libraries (FBs, FCs, UDTs, PLC data types) for cycle time, diagnostics, and maintainability across platforms Select, qualify, and manage Siemens controls hardware and software (S7-1500 / S7-1500F, ET 200SP I/O, Win
CC, SINAMICS
drives/servos, SCALANCE networking) and vendor-supplied equipment controls packages Lead controls qualification, including acceptance criteria, FAT/SAT, and verification of functional, safety, and performance requirements; develop and maintain schematics, network drawings, sequence of operations, safety risk assessments, and standard work Manage large-scale projects for new programs: timing plans and cost breakdowns for executive approval, risk identification and corrective action, status reporting, and oversight of installation and commissioning Drive continuous improvement of existing equipment controls to improve quality, reduce cycle time, increase uptime, and lower cost per unit What You'll Bring Degree in Electrical, Controls, Mechatronics, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience, with 5+ years developing and commissioning Siemens industrial controls in high-volume manufacturing, or equivalent experience Deep knowledge of Siemens
SIMATIC PLC
programming in TIA Portal (S7-1500 / S7-1200; STEP 7 Classic a plus), including SCL, LAD/FBD, state-based machine control, and structured, reusable program architecture Hands-on experience with Siemens WinCC (Comfort/Advanced/Unified)
HMI, PROFINET
design and diagnostics, and
SINAMICS
motion control (S120, G120, V90, or equivalent multi-axis servo/VFD applications) Experience with Siemens safety systems (S7-1500F / failsafe I/O, Safety Integrated, PROFIsafe, TIA Portal Safety) and strong understanding of
ISO 13849, IEC 62061, IEC 61508, ANSI
B11, and RIA R15.06, including risk assessment and safety function validation Experience developing, installing, and commissioning high-volume manufacturing equipment and automation (machining cells, robotic cells, conveyance, transfer systems, auxiliary equipment) on a Siemens controls platform Experience integrating Siemens controls with robots (Fanuc, KUKA, ABB, or equivalent), CNC/machine tools, vision systems, and higher-level systems (MES, Win
CC SCADA
/ WinCC OA, historian); OPC UA and Siemens Openness/TIA scripting a plus Experience using Industrial Engineering methods in high-volume manufacturing; proficient in reading and developing electrical/controls schematics (EPLAN preferred; AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent); SolidWorks or similar a plus Proficient in PFMEA and controls FMEA development and deployment; new product introduction and manufacturing operations experience desired Mastery of MS Office suite, Confluence, Jira, software version control (Git, Siemens VCI, or equivalent) preferred; Allen-Bradley or other PLC platforms are a plus, not a substitute for Siemens depth 25% travel required 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 Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor 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.
