Manufacturing Development Engineer

Tesla Motors, Inc.
72,000 - 156,600 USD
paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
United States, New York, Buffalo
Nov 13, 2025
What to Expect Tesla Gigafactory New York is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to lead the design & development of innovative automation equipment & manufacturing processes. In this role, you will own the execution of design, prototyping, & launch of multiple automation projects for medium to high-volume manufacturing lines. In these pursuits, you will collaborate closely with Design, Controls, Production, Quality, Facilities, & Safety Engineering Teams to create world class manufacturing systems. This will require you to have experience with mechanical design, electrical & controls systems, project management, root cause analysis, and cross functional communication. This is an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries of manufacturing performance, efficiency, and reliability across multiple energy products/lines. What You'll Do Pioneer Next-Generation Automation Systems - Lead the conceptualization, design, and implementation of cutting-edge automated manufacturing solutions that integrate industrial robotics, vision systems, & precision motion control for process optimization. Architect complete automation ecosystems with exceptional reliability and scalability Implement Advanced Control & Monitoring Systems - Develop integrated robust electrical controls using Siemens or Allen-Bradley PLCs, communication protocols, and HMI's with real-time monitoring capabilities, while leveraging data sources to quantitatively evaluate system performance Program & Integrate Robotic Systems - Experience with industrial robot programming and integration to enhance automation capabilities and production efficiency Drive Mechanical Design Excellence - Create 3D parts and assemblies, and 2D drawings using GD&T principles, while providing Design for Manufacturing feedback to enhance automation capabilities Perform Failure Mode Analysis - Experience with both Product & Manufacturing process failure mode analysis (PFMEA) as well as design failure mode analysis (DFMEA) Demonstrate Project Management Excellence - Set goals, track deliverables, identify risks and drive mitigations across all project stages while managing timelines, budgets, and resources; own execution of multiple programs simultaneously and develop processes/systems needed for teams to succeed Optimize Automated Manufacturing Processes - Analyze and optimize equipment cycle times across low, medium, and high-volume manufacturing processes, balance automation based on ROI, strategize material flow, and ensure adequate WIP buffering for production uptime Create Detailed Technical Documentation - Demonstrate proficiency in creating detailed electrical and fluid schematics, MBOM/EBOM, and manuals to define preventive maintenance, spare parts consumption and troubleshooting for efficient handover Ensure Safety & Compliance in Automated Systems - Work with EHS teams to review equipment requirements, compile risk assessments, and integrate safety devices into automated manufacturing stations while adhering to electrical safety standards Manage Automation Vendor Relationships - Create RFQs with procurement teams, manage suppliers during specification through installation phases, and lead factory/site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT) for automated equipment What You'll Bring Advanced Engineering Degree - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent demonstrated experience in automation system development Automation Expertise - 3-7 years of hands-on experience designing and implementing industrial automation systems, including PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal preferred, Allen-Bradley Studio 5000), HMI development (Proface, WinCC, Ignition), industrial communication protocols (PROFINET, Ethernet/IP), and experience creating detailed electrical & fluid schematics in EPLAN/equivalent systems Robotics Integration Proficiency - Demonstrated excellence with programming and integrating industrial robots, with specific expertise in FANUC RoboGuide and similar platforms for complex automation applications Innovative Design & Prototyping - Proficiency with Solidworks for 3D part/assembly design and 2D drawings using GD&T principles, plus proven ability to rapidly prototype automation solutions using 3D printing, modular components, and first-principles thinking to accelerate concept-to-production timelines for manufacturing equipment Project Leadership & Execution - Track record of successfully leading large-scale automation capital equipment projects from conception through implementation, utilizing Jira with demonstrated ability to manage timelines, budgets, and cross-functional teams Manufacturing Process Optimization - Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, and 8D problem-solving to optimize automated production systems and improve OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) Vision System & Sensor Integration - Expertise implementing machine vision systems (Keyence, iRVision), sensors and feedback control systems to enable high-precision automated manufacturing processes Technical Communication Skills & Documentation - Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities for developing technical specifications, presenting complex automation concepts to stakeholders, and creating comprehensive documentation for manufacturing systems Innovation Mindset & Adaptability - Demonstrated passion for pioneering new automation technologies with a flexible, solution-oriented approach to complex manufacturing challenges; thrives in fast-paced environments where continuous improvement and breakthrough thinking are essential Effectively work across multiple projects and cross-functional teams, as well as able to independently achieve results with minimal supervision 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: Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna 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 Employee Assistance Program Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary 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 Expected Compensation Associate Manufacturing Engineer - $72,000 - $108,000/annual salary Manufacturing Engineer - $93,600 - $140,400/annual salary Sr Manufacturing Engineer - $104,400 - $156,600/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits for all levels Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.