Controls Engineer, MegaFactory
Tesla · Lathrop, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Tesla (industrial) in Lathrop, CA. Be flexible and collaborative, willing to work in fast paced product and technology factory, and curious about technology.
- Tools it names
- PLC, Robotics
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $124k–$179k.
Median of the low and high ends of 64 live postings that list pay, out of 120 controls engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 119 other live controls postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $123k–$179k, from 62 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Automation 68%
- ✓ PLC 46%
- ✓ Robotics 44%
- Python 35%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 34%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Tesla
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from TeslaAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
The Controls Engineer will be expected to have sound controls engineering fundamentals and be comfortable troubleshooting PLC-based equipment. Update and improve HMI’s for complex machinery to be used by operators and maintenance. Troubleshoot PLC and robot related production issues, including reviewing code, database interfaces, and connection issues to Tesla’s production system (MOS). Make code changes to PLC’s and/or robots for new products and processes. Develop maintenance documentation and training for first line equipment troubleshooting. Lead continuous improvement of automated equipment to improve key metrics (safety, quality, productivity, and cost). Be flexible and collaborative, willing to work in fast paced product and technology factory, and curious about technology.