Controls Technician, Megafactory

Tesla Motors, Inc.
27.45 - 52.50 USD
paid holidays, flex time, 401(k)
United States, California, Lathrop
Nov 18, 2025
What to Expect Tesla is seeking a highly motivated Controls Technician to join our Production Engineering team on Night Shift and play a pivotal role in sustaining and improving advanced manufacturing equipment in a fast-paced, automated environment. The ideal candidate has practical experience, a high aptitude for learning and adapting quickly, and a track record of resolving urgent issues that affect equipment efficiency. Controls Technicians on the team will be expected to apply their technical skills to install and troubleshoot automated equipment, PLCs, and robots, providing front-line support to keep production running. They will collaborate closely with the engineering team to develop and deploy new automation solutions for the manufacturing lines, supporting continuous improvement efforts and driving operational success. Must be available for a Night Shift AWS schedule, involving 12-hour shifts on a rotating basis of 4 nights one week and 3 nights the next, to ensure continuous production support. What You'll Do Provide day-to-day production line support: Respond quickly and efficiently to escalations from Production and Maintenance teams to minimize downtime. Diagnose equipment failures, identify root causes, and communicate actions taken to the team, ensuring smooth operations Troubleshoot and maintain automation components: Handle controls components including Beckhoff and Siemens PLCs, safety devices, HMIs, servo drives, process hardware, and FANUC robots. Support production lines by troubleshooting electro-mechanical automation equipment, motion controls, vision systems, and robots using standardized work procedures developed in collaboration with Engineering peers Collaborate cross-functionally for issue resolution and continuous improvement: Work with Engineers to resolve efficiency issues and improve equipment reliability. Participate in continuous improvement projects to optimize production line safety, serviceability, reliability, throughput, and process capability Adhere to safety protocols and thrive in dynamic environments: Follow all aspects of Maintenance Safety protocol (e.g., LOTO, 5-S, Arc Flash) to ensure safe operations, always leading by example. Excel in a fast-paced, dynamic setting while managing multiple priorities What You'll Bring Education and Experience Requirements: An applicable technical certificate/degree (Electrical, Mechanical Mechatronic, or Computer Science) with a minimum of 1 year of controls/maintenance technician experience with automated manufacturing equipment in a high-volume manufacturing or industrial environmentor equivalent experience Technical Troubleshooting and Integration Skills: Skilled in troubleshooting electromechanical systems, building and wiring industrial electrical cabinets. Proficient in interpreting electrical, network, pneumatic, and hydraulic diagrams om AutoCAD or EPLAN. Experienced in diagnosing Ethernet and other device interface communications between PLCs, SCADA, MES, and other systems (EtherCAT and PROFINET). Familiar with selecting and integrating appropriate circuit protection, cable gauges, and sensor wiring following pinouts Working Experience with Automation and Controls Technologies: Should have some experience with Siemens PLC languages (Ladder, Structured Text, GRAPH); Beckhoff PLC using structured text; FANUC robots including iRVision; SCADA systems like Ignition; or HMI systems such as WinCC or Simatic. Understanding of equivalent object-oriented programming knowledge in languages like C, C++, C#, Python, Java, or VB is a plus Reporting and Documentation Skills: Proficient at a user level in Microsoft Office suite of programs. Experienced in generating downtime reports and daily pass-down reports to support efficient shift handovers and issue tracking Communication and Soft Skills: Strong command of the English language, both written and verbal, along with excellent communication, problem-solving skills, self-motivation, and sound judgment to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced setting Essential Physical Demands Ability to perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time, up to 12 hours a day Ability to stand and walk for up to 12 hours/day, including over varied and uneven terrain Frequently and repetitively, lift, push and carry up to 35 lbs., including the ability to carry 20 lbs. up and down stairs Frequently and repetitively, bend, lift and reach to install parts Stoop, lay, bend, reach, squat, kneel, crouch, twist and crawl for extended periods of time, including up to 12 hours/day Climb and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolding or other high structures Ability to find issues in a work process and receive safety signals using sight, touch, and hearing Wearing Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to: safety glasses, safety shoes, bump caps, arm protection, and adhering to prescribed safety rules and guidelines 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 $27.45 - $52.50/hour + cash and stock awards + benefits 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.