Controls Engineer, Tabless

Tesla · Austin, AR

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Level: Engineer
Team: Controls
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked: 5+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at Tesla (industrial) in Austin, AR. Back-up childcare and parenting support resources.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: PLC, Robotics, Automation, MES, EHS / safety
Day to day: some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in Arkansas: typical posted base $89k–$120k.

Median of the low and high ends of 8 live postings that list pay, out of 23 controls engineer openings in Arkansas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Arkansas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 22 other live controls postings in Arkansas.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Typical (5+ years)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ PLC 78%
✓ Automation 70%
✓ Robotics 43%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for EHS / safety, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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.

This plant: Tesla in Austin

2 other open roles at this site.

Automation Controls Engineer, Cathode Advanced Manufacturing · Controls
Industrial Engineer, People & Site Flow Design · Industrial

Full description from TeslaAs posted on their careers site.Show

What You'll Do

◆Ramp manufacturing lines including mechanical automation equipment, robots, electromechanical systems, PLCs, motion controls, and vision systems
◆Program state machines for complex processes which involve multi-station parallel processing, pick and place automation, data acquisition, and PID control
◆Manage Safety standards (ANSI/RIA15.06, OSHA), implementing controls reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other high-volume manufacturing equipment
◆Define and manage a methodology for maintaining PLC code structure and backups
◆Interface with the Tesla Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to communicate product acceptability, machine status, and process variables

Show full description ↓

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking a highly-motivated Controls Engineer to support the ramp of the factory, and contribute to the design of robust and stable equipment. This Engineer will be at the forefront of controls technology and will be responsible for the advanced cell manufacturing equipment that produces Tesla's cutting-edge 4680 batteries.

The Controls Engineer will also work with cross-functional teams throughout the entire lifecycle of the product and processes. This individual will work closely with Quality and Production to bring the new product from initial design, through prototype development, and finally into full production.

What You'll Bring

•Bachelor's Degree in an Engineering discipline: Controls and Computer Control Systems, Computer Science, Mechatronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, etc., or equivalent experience
•5+ years of experience as a hands-on Mechanical/Manufacturing Controls Engineer working on automation and/or electromechanical systems
•Advanced proficiency in programming industrial equipment in all IEC 61131-3 languages with a focus on structured text and ladder logic
•Experience with Beckhoff, Omron, Siemens, B&R, and/or Mitsubishi
•Human Machine Interface (HMI / GUI - AB Panelview, Ignition, TIA/WinCC, B&R, etc.)

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

•Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
•Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
•Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
•Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
•Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
•401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
•Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
•Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
•Employee Assistance Program
•Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
•Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
•Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
•Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
•Tesla Babies program
•Commuter benefits
•Employee discounts and perks program