Equipment Engineer - Optimus Actuators

Job Description

Tesla is seeking an Equipment Engineer to support Optimus Actuators manufacturing — highly automated lines that produce electromechanical actuators converting energy into controlled motion. You will own equipment reliability, maintainability, and availability from installation through sustained 24/7 production, partnering with Production, Process, Quality, Controls, Infrastructure, Purchasing, and external contractors and equipment vendors. 

In this role you will develop maintenance strategies and PM programs, drive root-cause resolution on actuators equipment, define spare-parts and staffing needs, and train engineers and technicians to keep assets at optimum condition. The ideal candidate is hands-on, data-driven, and comfortable owning automated equipment performance in a fast-paced launch and ramp environment. 

Travel expected as business needs require — ability to travel domestically and internationally to other Tesla factory locations and suppliers as required.

Job Responsibilities

• Create, own, and continuously improve maintenance procedures for each machine ensuring site safety practices on equipment work, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Management of Change, guarding, and applicable machine-safety standards 

• Lead and document equipment installation, inspection, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis on actuators manufacturing lines 

• Develop and optimize preventive maintenance (PM) programs to maximize uptime, availability, and asset life for actuators equipment while driving the preventative maintenance process end-to-end, including schedules, work standards, and closure of PM backlog 

• Develop spare-parts bills of materials (BOMs) and define min/max inventory levels to support reliable 24/7 operation 

• Own and improve performance of automated actuators equipment, including vision systems, Fanuc robots, Siemens PLCs, Kistler press systems, fastening systems, and rotating equipment common to actuators processes 

• Define maintenance technician headcount required to keep machines at optimum operating condition based on maintenance time and coverage needs; support hiring and onboarding of that team 

• Develop and execute training strategy for engineers and technicians on actuators equipment, troubleshooting, and safe work practices 

• Create, track, and report equipment performance metrics (uptime, MTBF/MTTR, PM compliance, availability) and drive continuous improvement 

• Partner cross-functionally with Process, Quality, Controls, Production, and Infrastructure to resolve equipment issues in real time and protect production rate and yield 

• Support large-scale turnarounds, line installs, and construction coordination for new or modified actuators equipment 

Job Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, or related engineering field, or equivalent experience with deep equipment troubleshooting, repair, and asset-strategy background 

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with automated manufacturing equipment in a high-volume environment (vision systems, Fanuc robots, Siemens PLC, Kistler press systems, fastening systems, or equivalent) 

• Expertise in maintenance strategies for automated equipment in continuous or batch process environments, with a track record of improving uptime and asset life 

• Working knowledge of process-containing automation: robots, PLCs, HMIs, vision systems, pneumatics/servos, and related instrumentation (e.g., flow, temperature, pressure) 

• Proven experience coordinating large-scale turnarounds, installations, or construction activities with internal teams and external contractors 

• Experience developing equipment documentation, drawings, inspections, audits, spare-parts BOMs, and PM standards with background in site safety management systems (Lockout/Tagout, Management of Change, machine guarding, and related practices) 

• Proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks/CATIA/AutoCAD or equivalent) and ability to read mechanical drawings and electrical/pneumatic schematics 

• Demonstrated track record improving equipment availability, MTBF/MTTR, or OEE using structured problem-solving (e.g., 5-Why, 8D, DMAIC, Pareto) 

• Strong cross-functional communication skills; able to work effectively with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Controls, Process, and Design under changing priorities 

• Ability to work hands-on on the factory floor and support flexible hours, including 24/7 operations coverage during launch, ramp, and critical events