Senior Process Design Engineer - Infrastructure Design

Job Description

<p>Tesla is seeking a highly experienced Process Design Engineer with deep chemical engineering expertise and a proven track record of leading complex process scopes to join our R&amp;D/Manufacturing Design team in Fremont, CA. Our design team spearheads the creation of mechanical process systems that enable R&amp;D testing, cell production, and energy manufacturing across Tesla's global sites.</p><p>This full-time, onsite role within the infrastructure group demands technical leadership, end-to-end process ownership, and hands-on design excellence across highly technical environments&#8212;including dry rooms, clean rooms, and advanced manufacturing facilities. You'll lead process design efforts spanning all Tesla programs&#8212;Autopilot, Energy, Vehicle/Semi, SI, Robotics (Optimus), and Cell Manufacturing&#8212;delivering scalable, compliant solutions that align with our mission to build a world of amazing abundance.</p>

Job Responsibilities

• Lead full process design scopes from concept through construction for R&D laboratories, dry rooms, clean rooms, and high-tech manufacturing facilities. Apply advanced chemical engineering fundamentals to solve complex, first-of-kind design challenges across diverse process systems
• Develop and own comprehensive Basis of Design (BoD) documents, process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping & instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), specifications, operating sequences, and construction-ready design packages
• Serve as the technical authority on process design decisions, confidently justifying approaches to leadership and executive teams
• Define and enforce environmental classifications, cleanliness standards, and atmospheric control requirements (e.g., dew point, particulate levels, temperature/humidity) for dry rooms and clean rooms
• Conduct capacity planning, risk analysis, and lifecycle cost assessments for large-scale capital infrastructure projects
• Lead or facilitate process hazard analyses (PHA), HAZOP reviews, and design reviews across all process systems
• Partner with manufacturing, construction, commissioning, and facilities stakeholders to align technical solutions with operational needs and end-user requirements
• Prioritize and deliver high-quality results across multiple concurrent projects in fast-paced, high-stakes environments
• Synthesize complex technical data into compelling presentations and communicate effectively to executive and cross-functional audiences
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and cross-functional design team members, fostering alignment and driving technical excellence without direct reporting authority

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (or closely related discipline); advanced degree preferred, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of progressive experience in chemical process design, process engineering, or process operations, with significant time spent at both an owner/operator and an EPC/design firm. Emphasis on design of new installations is required
• Demonstrated experience leading process design scopes for dry rooms, clean rooms (ISO Class 5–8), R&D laboratories, and/or advanced manufacturing facilities
• Professional design experience across a wide range of critical utility and process systems, including but not limited to: Compressed dry air (CDA) and instrument air, RODI/ultrapure water purification and distribution, Industrial water and waste treatment systems, Central vacuum systems, High-purity cryogenic and bulk gas distribution (liquid/gaseous N₂, O₂, Ar, H₂, etc.), HVAC integration for environmental control (dew point, particulate, temperature, humidity), Chemical distribution systems (CDS)
• Experience designing and optimizing abatement and exhaust systems for electrolytes, solvents, and hazardous byproducts (e.g., carbon adsorption beds, regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs), wet/dry scrubbers) to ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations
• Extensive experience in one or more of the following sectors: cell/battery manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, high-tech R&D, biotech/pharmaceutical, or data centers
• Strong working knowledge of North American codes, standards, and regulations (API, ASME, ASME BPVC, ASTM, ISO, NFPA, UL, SEMI, IEST, etc.)
• Proficient with industry-standard tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, Pipe-Flo, Bluebeam, Revizto, and the Microsoft Office Suite. Construction administration experience including site observation, commissioning support, and review of RFIs, submittals, and shop drawings
• Willingness to travel to support infrastructure development in the Bay Area and at other Tesla sites as needed
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is strongly preferred, EIT certification at minimum