Staff Process Controls Engineer

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 Process Controls Lead Engineer 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:
Lead the design, configuration, and implementation of fully automated process controls solutions for assigned process areas to ensure safe and reliable operations
Own the comprehensive automation documentation package for the assigned area, managing the development and continuous update of critical deliverables (Control Narratives, IO lists, interlocks, HMI designs, etc.)
Collaborate closely with process technology engineers to translate P&IDs and process designs into robust and safe control strategies
Ensure the seamless integration of vendor PLCs into the DCS
Facilitate the vertical integration of the plant control system (DCS) with the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Plant Information Management System (PIMS) to enable real-time data acquisition, reporting, and enterprise-level production optimization
Actively participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and HAZOP studies, taking ownership of the control system's role in risk mitigation by designing, configuring, and testing the required alarms and basic process control interlocks
Lead the Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for area-specific control hardware and software

Requirements:
Degree in Electrical, Chemical, or Control Systems Engineering or equivalent experience
5-10 years of relevant industry experience configuring and commissioning DCS/PLC systems as an individual contributor in a continuous chemical processing environment
Strong fundamental understanding of process dynamics and complex regulatory control strategies (sequencing, cascade, feedforward, ratio control)
Experience with chemical reactor control, multi-stage distillation, or high-temperature/pressure unit operations
Hands-on experience with DCS programming (Emerson DeltaV preferred) and HMI development
Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic team environment and clearly communicate complex logic to non-controls disciplines
Comfortable traveling up to 50% of the time