Controls Engineer

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Description

The primary function of a Controls Engineer at Tesla is providing complete electrical and software design for customer automated machines.  The Controls Engineer is responsible for owning and implementing the design from project kickoff to installation at the customer’s site.  This includes electrical design/layout, software design/programming, debug of hardware/software, and customer acceptance testing.  Because 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 to the customer.

Essential Functions Electrical Design

  • Collaborate with project manager, mechanical design engineer, and customer to develop a low-risk and robust machine design.  Prototyping using overnight machined parts from our shop, or cardboard and duct tape, is strongly encouraged.
  • Participate in Risk Assessment and ensure OSHA safety standards are met.
  • Create electrical schematics and bill of materials to meet project requirements.
  • Interface with panel shop to ensure electrical panels meet customer and project requirements.
  • Support assembly department by clarifying any design questions they may have.

Software Design

  • Create application design documentation/flow charts and lead customer software design reviews.
  • Program all software for unique projects with a variety of needs (PLC, HMI/SCADA, Servo, Robotics, Vision, Laser, etc.)

Start-up and Debug

  • Test and verify all electrical wiring for the entire system: safety circuit, IO, communications, etc.
  • Work with assembly and mechanical design engineer to ensure all mechanical setups and alignments are properly completed.
  • Debug and test all software to meet project requirements.
  • Work with customers to ensure their machine requirements are fulfilled and they are satisfied.

Customer Acceptance

  • Assist customer in testing and documenting final machine operation.
  • Provide training and support to customer as needed.

Documentation

  • Creation of machine user’s manual from template per customer requirements.
  • Validation and/or GAMP documentation and testing where required by customer.

Work Environment 

This job operates in a professional office and assembly shop floor environment.  Employees may also work at customer manufacturing sites.  While performing the duties of this job, employees may be exposed to moving mechanical parts.

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile.
  • The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers, customers, and co-workers.
  • This position requires the occasional use of basic hand tools
  • This position requires standing, sitting, walking, bending, kneeling and stooping for long lengths of time.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday.  Flexible hours are available, as is the ability to work from home.  Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel Up to 15% travel is expected for this position, dependent on project assignment.

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field from an accredited institution.

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Experience in custom automation
  • Strong mechanical aptitude
  • Strong electrical aptitude
  • Detail-oriented
  • Desire to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
  • Strong customer relationship skills
  • Experience with the following technologies –
    1. Electrical schematic design and drafting using AutoCAD Electrical
    2. PLC controls (primarily Allen Bradley CompactLogix & ControlLogix)
    3. HMI (primarily Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View SE & ME and Ignition)
    4. Servo Motion (primarily Allen Bradley servos)
    5. Vision Inspection & Vision Guided motion (primarily Cognex VisionPro and InSight)
    6. Robots: 6-axis & SCARA
    7. Industrial instrumentation and PID loop control

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.