Manager Automation Engineering, Electrode (m/w/d) - Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg

What to Expect

Tesla was founded in 2003 with the goal of accelerating the transition to sustainable energy and protecting the planet Earth. Through solar energy, batteries, and electric vehicles, we are building a world of amazing abundance.

At Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, we manufacture the Model Y, and starting in 2027, we’ll produce everything from battery cells to electric vehicles. This is unique in Europe. Our international team consists of over 12,000 employees from 130 countries. We hire talent at all skill levels - prior experience in the automotive industry is not required. Would you like to help write the next chapter in Tesla’s success story and work at one of Germany’s most modern workplaces? Then this is the right place for you!

Tesla is seeking a Manager, Automation Engineering on the Cell Manufacturing Engineering team to be part of a world-class team of engineers that are responsible for designing and building the automation and robotic equipment at the Tesla factories.

As a Manager of Automation and Controls Engineering, you are responsible for leading a team of automation engineers that build equipment controls solutions for Cell Manufacturing projects specifically in the Electrode space. We cover a huge range of machinery and process types include mixing, coating, calendering, slitting, etc. We also build and implement the material flow, coordination and optimization necessary to deliver manufacturing at a truly mass-production scale. From development, to commissioning and scaling, the controls engineering team enables the next generation of manufacturing.

What You’ll Do

• Manage and grow a high performing, diverse team of Controls Engineers
• Support the hiring and selection process of Controls Engineers
• Train and review team members controls architecture, mechanical automation equipment, robots' systems, design of electromechanical systems, PLCs code, motion controls, HMI design, SCADA design and 3D vision systems
• Handle day-to-day management tasks such as performance reviews, time off, HR Coordination and resource capacity
• Report on status of development, quality and system performance to management
• Program and debug structure text and ladder logic code on multiple PLC controller platforms (Beckhoff TwinCAT and Siemens TIA Portal)
• Develop code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable and reusable
• 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 codes and standards
• Participate in initial equipment conceptual development and carefully balance product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead-time limits
• Participate in Tesla controls specification and standard creation, release to Vendor and quote technical evaluation
• Enforce application of Tesla controls standards, manage suppliers during specification, design review and design approval
• Establish test plans and control test plan execution

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of proven project management experience
• In depth knowledge of Beckhoff or Siemens controls systems
• Proficient Structured Text (IEC 61131-3) programming skills
• BS or MS Electrical Engineering (or equivalent in experience - Majors in Controls and Computer Control Systems, Mechatronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, etc.)
• 6+ years of experience as Controls, Automation, or Robotics Engineer working on industrial automation systems
• In-depth knowledge of Electrical Standards and Safety Standards

• Designing and maintaining PLC code structure
• Programming state machines for complex processes which involve multi-station parallel processing, pick and place automation, data acquisition, and PID control.
• Designing fault-tolerant systems with error handling and recovery
• Selecting appropriate circuit protectors, wire and cable, sensors, safety hardware, PLC hardware, remote I/O, VFD and servo systems
• Designing and implementing Safety PLCs and HMI/SCADA

• Exposure to a wide variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (LVDT and pressure transducers, dispense systems, temperature controllers, robot cell, current and power meters, vision systems, etc.)
• Understanding of databases and various program languages (Java, Python).
• HMI programming experience - TwinCAT HMI, WinCC and Ignition
• Design electrical and schematics in CAD (ePlan, AutoCAD Electrical, etc.). Solidworks, CATIA
• Experience with various production machinery, cameras, sensors, and other equipment
• Experience programming robots are highly desired (Fanuc, Kuka, Motoman, Epson)

Not only do we offer you an attractive compensation package, but also access to a wide range of perks and benefits. For example:

• Our own medical center, a gym and an in-house barbershop.
• E-bike charging stations in front of the factory, more than 500 free charging stations for electric cars, a bike leasing program, free use of the nextbike bike-sharing fleet, as well as numerous free shuttle bus routes to Grünheide and the surrounding areas.
• You’ll receive subsidized canteen meals, a free S-membership at the Urban Sports Club (discount from M+) and you can sign up for many language courses.
• We also offer all employees a wide range of insurance options, such as a company pension plan, as well as discounts on private insurance and legal protection insurance.

These and many other benefits await you. Join Tesla and help us build a world of amazing abundance.

Candidates are expected to uphold and actively promote sustainability principles in their daily work, operating in line with Tesla Global Environmental, Health, Safety & Security (EHS&S) Policy and EMAS requirements, fostering a culture of continuous environmental improvement.