Equipment Engineer, Terafab

About the role

• Equipment Engineer, Terafab | Tesla (Terafab)
• Location: AUSTIN, Texas | Req ID: 269606 | Job Type: Full-time
• What to Expect

We are building Terafab – a vertically integrated semiconductor factory at an unprecedented scale. Logic, memory, packaging, test, and lithography mask production in one facility optimized for quick iteration and factory density of compute produced. Without reliable equipment, there is no fab.

As an Equipment Engineer at Terafab, you will own the procurement, installation, qualification, and performance of advanced semiconductor process tools. You will be a primary technical interface between SpaceX and equipment vendors, driving tool availability, uptime, and performance from day one through full production ramp across one or more process tool families.

This position is open across multiple levels. Level and title are based on your experience, skills, and overall qualifications during the interview process.

What You'll Do

• Own the full lifecycle of semiconductor process equipment from vendor selection through IQ/OQ/PQ and sustained production support
• Lead tool installation projects for advanced process equipment across logic, memory, packaging, test, and in-house mask shop domains
• Partner with OEM vendors at a design level to evaluate equipment architecture, assess mechanical risk, drive design improvements, and influence tool specifications that enhance reliability, uptime, and process performance
• Develop and execute equipment qualification plans, including tool-to-tool matching and process performance baselines; establish PM programs, spare parts strategies, and equipment uptime KPIs
• Apply strong mechanical and electromechanical design knowledge to identify root causes, including tolerance stack-up, thermal expansion, vacuum integrity, and subsystem interactions and drive systematic equipment availability improvements
• Design equipment upgrades as needed and partner with internal teams to execute them
• Partner with Process and Automation Engineers to diagnose and resolve equipment-related process excursions and yield impacts while managing tool installation schedules, utility hookup sequencing, and tool readiness milestones in support of fab ramp

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience
• Engineering experience in a manufacturing facility or semiconductor fab
• Hands-on experience installing, qualifying, and supporting complex, high-precision equipment in a manufacturing facility, such as EUV lithography or other precision tools
• Understanding of complex production equipment and the mechanical and electromechanical design behind performance and reliability, including vacuum, gas or fluid delivery, temperature control, power or plasma, and process recipes
• Experience managing equipment vendor relationships and negotiating service contracts, including standards such as SEMI E10, E30, E58 or SECS/GEM
• Experience with equipment data systems, fault detection, health monitoring, and predictive maintenance in a greenfield manufacturing facility, such as EES or FDC

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
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)