Hardware Technician - Hands

Job Description

As a Tesla Hardware Technician, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the operational availability of a wide array of manufacturing equipment.  You will apply your technical skills to install, maintain and repair mechanical and electrical systems, lab/mfg automation and robotics. In this role, you will apply your technical knowledge to support the design and development of test plans, procedures, and protocols. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to iterate on product and test designs, analyze data, and draw meaningful conclusions. Your attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to think critically will be essential in identifying and resolving complex technical issues. 

To succeed in this role, you must be a team player with excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic, and a passion for innovation. You should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, adapting to changing priorities, and thriving in ambiguity. Your expertise will help us push the boundaries of drive unit performance, reliability, and safety. 

Job Responsibilities

• Fabricate and prepare test samples by hand to defined SOPs, holding tight dimensional tolerances and repeatable technique across large sample sets 

• Operate, monitor, and maintain automated test rigs built around PLCs, electric and pneumatic actuators, load cells, and NUC-based control PCs 

• Load samples, launch test recipes, monitor long-duration cycling runs, and safely recover rigs from faults, e-stops, and end-of-test conditions 

• Collaborate closely with supply chain, design, manufacturing, and materials engineering teams, communicating technical questions and findings concisely 

• Perform routine maintenance and calibration checks on test equipment; keep sensors, actuators, and fixtures in known-good condition 

• Maintain sample traceability, labeling, and clear test records; verify data integrity between the rig and the data store 

• Travel as needed to support lab expansion and testing at our Palo Alto, Fremont, and future facilities 

Job Requirements

• High awareness of safety hazards, procedures, and best practices, including working safely around powered and automated equipment 

• Experience working with adhesives, lubricants, or chemicals per handling and PPE requirements 

• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting automated equipment: PLC-controlled machines, actuators, sensors, and HMIs 

• Basic electrical troubleshooting skills - continuity checks, multimeter use, connector and cable diagnosis, sensor verification 

• Comfort with Windows & Linux-based control PCs: running test software, checking logs, managing files, basic network troubleshooting 

• Experience with a variety of hand and power tools 

• Willingness to work overtime and weekends based on company needs