Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Mechanical Engineer - Infrastructure, Energy

Building Services EngineeringUpdated on Nov 5

Full-timePalo Alto, CA, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related field and at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Experience with decarbonization initiatives and carbon dioxide emissions studies.
Proficiency in energy modeling and load calculation software such as EnergyPlus, IESVE, Trane TRACE, Carrier HAP, or OpenStudio.
A deep understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, psychrometrics, and heat transfer.
Proven experience designing custom airside and waterside systems, including variable-flow hydronics and specialized exhaust systems.
Familiarity with building information modeling software, specifically Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD.
Strong knowledge of sustainable building practices and energy-efficient system design.
Ability to read, interpret, and produce detailed mechanical schematics, P&IDs, and construction documents.
Ability to collaborate with electrical, controls, and architectural disciplines.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive energy modeling and simulations to optimize building performance, evaluate Energy Conservation Measures, and calculate operational carbon emissions.
Research local initiatives and credits for implementing energy-efficiency upgrades.
Conceptualize complex mechanical HVAC, central utility plant, and hydronic distribution systems for large-scale R&D and manufacturing environments.
Conduct detailed heating and cooling load calculations using industry-standard software to size mechanical equipment accurately.
Select and specify mechanical equipment, including chillers, boilers, cooling towers, air handling units, pumps, and fans.
Collaborate with the Controls Engineering team to develop sequences of operations that maximize the efficiency of mechanical systems.
Evaluate lifecycle costs of various mechanical system architectures to guide design decisions.
Ensure all designs comply with relevant building codes, mechanical codes, and energy standards, including ASHRAE and California Title 24.
Manage and prioritize design requests for new construction builds, existing site facilities support, and legacy site enhancement projects.
Research emerging technologies and evaluate performance claims, maturity level, reliability data, safety and code implications, maintainability, and vendor viability.

Desired Qualifications

A Professional Engineer license, Certified Energy Manager certification, or LEED AP certification.

Category	Construction & Facilities
Location	PALO ALTO, California
Requisition ID	280123
Type	Full-time

Job Description

Welcome to Infrastructure DesignX — Tesla’s newest high-octane technical engineering team.We’re not here to maintain the status quo. We’re here to invent the infrastructure that powers the next generation of R&D labs and gigafactories. Think cutting-edge energy systems, radical decarbonization, and performance-obsessed mechanical design that turns “impossible” facility challenges into production reality across the Bay Area and beyond.As our Energy / Mechanical Engineer, you’ll own the strategies that push our facilities to peak energy performance. You’ll drive energy efficiency moonshots, decarbonization studies, and detailed life cycle cost assessments — translating bold conceptual models into real mechanical systems that actually get built. You’ll sit at the intersection of architecture, electrical, mechanical, and controls, running rapid design optioneering that optimizes every watt, every dollar, and every ton of carbon. If you get excited by the idea of designing the energy backbone for the most advanced manufacturing and research environments on the planet, this is your arena.

Job Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive energy modeling and simulations to optimize building performance, evaluate Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs), and calculate operational carbon emissions (CO2e)
Research local initiatives and credits for implementing energy efficiency upgrades
Conceptualize complex mechanical HVAC, central utility plant (CUP), and hydronic distribution systems for large-scale R&D and manufacturing environments
Conduct detailed heating and cooling load calculations using industry-standard software to size mechanical equipment accurately
Select and specify mechanical equipment, including chillers, boilers, cooling towers, air handling units (AHUs), pumps, and fans
Collaborate with the Controls Engineering team to develop sequences of operations that maximize the efficiency of mechanical systems
Evaluate lifecycle costs of various mechanical system architectures to guide design decisions
Ensure all designs comply with relevant building codes, mechanical codes, and energy standards (e.g., ASHRAE, California Title 24)
Manage and prioritize design requests for new construction builds, existing site facilities support, and legacy site enhancement projects
Research emerging technologies and evaluate performance claims, maturity level (TRL), reliability data, safety/code implications, maintainability, and vendor viability

Job Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience
Bonus: Professional Engineer (PE) license, Certified Energy Manager (CEM), or LEED AP certifications
Experience with decarbonization initiatives and CO2 emissions studies
Proficiency in energy modeling and load calculation software (e.g., EnergyPlus, IESVE, Trane TRACE, Carrier HAP, OpenStudio)
Deep understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, psychrometrics, and heat transfer
Proven experience designing custom airside and waterside systems, including variable flow hydronics and specialized exhaust systems
Familiarity with building information modeling (BIM) software, specifically Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD
Strong knowledge of sustainable building practices and energy-efficient system design
Ability to read, interpret, and produce detailed mechanical schematics, P&IDs, and construction documents
Excellent cross-functional communication skills to collaborate with electrical, controls, and architectural disciplines

About the Company

Tesla

Makes electric cars, robotaxis and grid batteries

Tesla makes electric cars and batteries that store power for homes and utilities, and it develops self-driving software and humanoid robots. In 2023, its Model Y became the first electric vehicle to rank as the world's best-selling car. Buyers order the Model 3 sedan, Model Y SUV, or Cybertruck pickup directly from Tesla instead of through dealers, and they charge on its Supercharger fast-charging network. It also sells Megapack and Powerwall batteries, runs a robotaxi service, and charges drivers a monthly fee for self-driving software that still needs their supervision. Tesla was founded in 2003, with Elon Musk as its lead early investor and a recognized co-founder, and it is based in Austin, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Austin, TX
Founded: 2003

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