Sr. Safety Systems Engineer, Process Controls

Description:
Imagine a world where infinite clean energy isn’t a promise, it’s a reality. Enabling abundant, clean energy production requires a complex supply of refined materials that are to become the backbone of Tesla’s solar manufacturing ecosystem. Tesla’s Refining Technology Team is responsible for the implementation of production processes at never-before-seen scale. If you’re a highly motivated and purpose-driven Safety Systems Engineer, Process Controls ready to solve problems that have never been solved before, this is your moment. Join us in turning the sun’s power into the world’s most abundant, accessible energy source.

Responsibilities:
Architect, configure, and implement automated Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and Fire & Gas Systems (FGS) to ensure the intrinsic safety of a large-scale complex process facility
Own the comprehensive functional safety documentation package, taking hands-on responsibility for the development and maintenance of critical deliverables (including Safety Requirement Specifications (SRS), Cause & Effect Matrices, Emergency Shutdown (ESD) Principle Diagrams, and SIL Verification reports)
Actively participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), HAZOP, and LOPA studies, taking ownership of identifying Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) and ensuring all required risk reductions are achieved through the safety system design
Engineer the configuration and programming of SIL3-certified, fault-tolerant safety logic solvers, ensuring strict physical and logical independence from the basic process control system (DCS)
Act as the technical liaison between equipment suppliers and the automation team to execute the seamless integration of specialized safety packages (e.g., Burner Management Systems, Compressor Surge Control) into the overarching safety system
Actively participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), HAZOP, and LOPA studies, taking ownership of identifying Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) and ensuring required risk reductions are achieved through the SIS design
Support process safety initiatives by developing mechanical integrity programs and proof-testing procedures for critical safety instruments, sensors, and final control elements in compliance with OSHA PSM (29 CFR 1910.119)
Execute and oversee Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for all safety-critical hardware and software

Requirements:
Bachelors Degree in Electrical, Chemical, or Control Systems Engineering or equivalent experience
5+ years of relevant industry experience designing, programming, and commissioning SIS and FGS as an individual contributor in a continuous chemical processing environment
Strong fundamental understanding of functional safety standards (IEC 61508 and IEC 61511), with TÜV Functional Safety Engineer (FSEng) or equivalent certification highly preferred
Experience with translating LOPA/HAZOP outcomes into actionable safety logic, hardware specifications, and SIL verification models
Hands-on experience with industry-standard safety logic solvers (e.g., DeltaV SIS, Triconex, HIMA), Fire & Gas detection technologies, and redundant I/O architectures
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment and clearly communicate complex safety logic to non-controls disciplines
Comfortable traveling up to 50% of the time