Technical Program Manager on the Automation Engineering Controls team joins a world class team of engineers responsible for designing, building, and deploying Supplier and Tesla in-house discrete and process equipment automation solutions that make up the Tesla Battery Cell and Energy factories, manufacturing our groundbreaking Tesla-designed 4680 battery cells at high speed. Automation equipment development projects are highly interdisciplinary and require collaboration and coordination across engineering teams, global locations, suppliers, and innovative technologies. As Technical Program Manager (TPM), you will manage technical projects through the entire project lifecycle; from idea to project concept and launch through Tesla scale mass production. You will drive the design and deployment of Cell Manufacturing equipment projects, including production critical integrations with controls automation systems, factory software systems and manufacturing data infrastructure.
DAY TO DAY
In this Role, you will:
Lead cross-functional teams in functional testing, installation, commissioning, resource & dependency alignment, coordination of activities, supplier relationships, oversight of contractors, and transparent communication of project status and risk.
Continuously monitor and measure project processes and activities to identify and communicate potential issues, risks, or problems in a timely fashion and provide corrective action options for mitigation.
Use manufacturing and controls engineering knowledge to help the team solve commissioning manufacturing issues, identify, and solve risks.
Identify major risks and dependencies; manage and work to reduce them accordingly. Track and eliminate blockers to keep your projects moving at Tesla speed.
Build and maintain strong relationships that create a strong open flow of information. Build cross-functional teams that work well together in efficient, transparent ways.
Communicate with stakeholders across a wide variety of teams inside of Cell Engineering, from process engineers to manufacturing engineers to production/operations to construction and facilities, and control engineers companywide.
Enable the team to achieve great architecture and designs across controls, testing, devices, and hardware by collaborating with key technical leaders, and ensuring each team is methodical in their design/project approach.
Create and drive advanced product development, validation, and execution plans and processes. Make the process easy for the team to follow and administer, while providing maximum value for overall business.
Be a key automation controls team interface to line builders and suppliers, ensure all designs have optimal supply chain management and ramp plan.
DAY TO DAY PERCENTAGE BREAKDOWN:
50% manufacturing designs
50% coordinating meetings, working with cross functional teams, and contractor management.
MUST HAVES
Experience working on a large-scale factory commissioning project. Controls Engineering experience preferred, but contributions from other disciplines are also welcome: Electrical, Process, Mechanical, Manufacturing Design, Program or Project Management/Project Engineering in manufacturing/factory environments.
Methodical and strong English communication and documentation skills, with ability to understand and communicate complex technical projects in clear and simple ways to diverse audiences.
Remain engaged, initiative-taking, and positive in a "plaid speed" environment under tough circumstances, owning assignments and taking full accountability for overall team success.
Experience managing engineering projects and teams - coordinating distributed, complex cross-functional teams, establishing team processes, organizing priorities and goals, and leading meetings.
Plusses (not required)
The ideal candidate will have all three of the following work experience (internships count):
1. Experience in a greenfield factory commissioning project from beginning to end, as a contributing Engineer or Project Engineer.
2. Experience working in a high-speed manufacturing environment such as battery cells, fast moving consumer goods, power electronics, or automotive suppliers.
3. Experience in manufacturing controls development in any PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) platform.
Experience developing processes and methodologies to suit specific engineering workflows desired.
Experience with project management methodology, schedule management, and Jira.
History of contributing outstanding work to complex engineering projects as a technical contributor.
Experience or knowledge on NFPA 70E and UL508A
University degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or technical science discipline, or the equivalent experience.
Compensation:
$70/hr to $80/hr.
Exact compensation may vary based on several factors, including skills, experience, and education.
Benefit packages for this role will start on the 31st day of employment and include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as HSA, FSA, and DCFSA account options, and 401k retirement account access with employer matching. Employees in this role are also entitled to paid sick leave and/or other paid time off as provided by applicable law.