Manufacturing Controls Engineer, Drive Unit

What To Expect
This role’s primary focus is acting as the key intermediary/bridge between the Sustaining Engineering team and cross-functional teams such as Application Support, Database Administrators (DBA), and Infrastructure. You will partner with Application Support, Database Administrators (DBA), and Infrastructure on sustainable deployment, best practices, connectivity, and system architecture for industrial automation software (especially Ignition, databases, and related layers) to enable reliable, scalable manufacturing systems. You will also collaborate with the Sustaining Engineering team to identify, fix, and improve application-to-equipment related issues. The ideal candidate understands both controls and application scopes well enough to effectively support teams on either end translating needs, closing gaps, and delivering practical solutions across the boundary. The candidate must have hands-on experience with automation equipment like PLCs, robots, etc. in order to create integration tools (AOIs, FBs, etc.), scripts, and solutions that support and enhance those systems.

What You'll Do

Partner with Application Support, DBA, and Infrastructure as the primary bridge to Sustaining Engineering / Controls Automation—driving communication, knowledge transfer, joint troubleshooting, solution delivery, best practices for deployments/upgrades/database integration, and consulting on architecture (Ignition gateways, database connectivity, Linux environments, etc.)

Optimize and improve HMIs, SCADA systems, MES interfaces, and Ignition applications

Develop and maintain documentation for Ignition projects, database interactions, system configurations, infrastructure touchpoints, and related procedures; act as a habitual documenter and knowledge sharer

Perform live troubleshooting of controls, application, database, and infrastructure issues; support resolution of difficult breakdowns and chronic failures

Collaborate with the Sustaining Engineering team to identify, fix, and improve application-to-equipment related issues

Program in ladder logic, structured text, and higher-level languages (Python, Java) to create integrations, tools (AOIs, FBs, etc.), and solutions that support PLCs, robots, servos, VFDs, and related equipment

Mentor engineers and help spread cross-functional best practices across teams

What You'll Bring

Degree in Electrical, Industrial, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or equivalent work experience

2 years of professional controls engineering experience

2 years of advanced PLC programming knowledge on Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff, or equivalent PLCs in a professional environment. Hands-on experience with automation equipment like PLCs, robots, servos, VFDs sufficient to create integration tools (AOIs, FBs, etc.), scripts, and solutions for them

Proven project management experience and strong bias for action

Proficiency in Linux and its administration is a plus (comfortable working in and troubleshooting Linux environments that host automation applications, gateways, or related services); ability to partner with Infrastructure teams

Strong experience with Ignition (development, deployment, best practices, and integration)—able to effectively bridge with Application Support on Ignition-related work

Solid experience with databases (MySQL, MSSQL, SQLite, or similar), including querying, basic administration/optimization, and integration with controls/Ignition systems; ability to collaborate productively with DBA teams

Experience in high-level languages: Python and/or Java (for scripting, integrations, tooling, automation of deployments, or bridging controls-to-application layers)

HMI/SCADA programming experience with Ignition

Excellent collaboration and communication skills to act as an effective intermediary who understands both controls and application scopes and can support teams on either end

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

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