Equipment Engineering Manager, Solar Manufacturing

About the role

Equipment Engineering Manager, Solar Manufacturing | Tesla (Energy Engineering)

Location: Lathrop, California | Req ID: 277972 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

As the Equipment Engineering Manager, you will own setup of an R&D site for solar, as well as uptime and continuous improvement of the Ingot/Wafer/Cell equipment in the pilot line. You will lead a team of equipment engineers and maintenance technicians fostering a culture of safety, innovation, and improvement. This role requires a strategic thinker with hands-on experience in solar manufacturing environments; installation, maintenance, and repair of mechanical and electrical systems; and familiarity working with chemicals and gasses.

What You'll Do

• Perform ground-up pilot line setup, ensuring all equipment is calibrated and ready for daily operations
• Oversee daily maintenance activities across multiple shifts 24/7, ensuring efficient operation and uptime of automated pilot line equipment. Drive OEE, MTBF, MTTR, PM compliance, and Safety event response time for the solar pilot line
• Manage a local engineering and equipment maintenance team. Supervise a highly independent team of technical experts across multiple specialties
• Implement and optimize preventive/predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment uptime and reliability
• Manage maintenance costs, spare parts inventory, and overtime to ensure cost-effective operations
• Troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, and automation issues, employing root cause analysis to resolve recurring problems. Own weekly maintenance review-out: uptime trends, top limiters, action plans
• Partner closely with process, equipment and manufacturing engineering, and pilot operations teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives and meet team goals
• Support new line commissioning, ramp, and rate-step changes for new product introductions in a high-volume manufacturing environment
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and promote a zero-incident workplace culture
• Support Pilot Line Operations with fast, onsite troubleshooting during equipment downtime to keep high-priority projects on track

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical engineering, Industrial Maintenance, or equivalent experience
• Experience in complete line setup and equipment installation
• 10+ years of maintenance expertise in industrial setting with 3+ years in a leadership role overseeing team
• 10+ years of expertise in cell equipment and processes or equivalent. Deep understanding of tools and equipment used in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells and/or semiconductors
• Technical expertise in semiconductor or advanced manufacturing processes—such as Laser processing, CVD, PVD, wet processing, diffusion, lithography, or metallization—is preferred
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a track record of reducing downtime through innovative solutions
• Knowledge and understanding of Mechanical Design, Solidworks and AutoCAD.
• Knowledge and experience in Engineering and SPC tools (FMEA, Tool Lockdown, etc.)
• Must have command of the English language, both written and verbal

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)

Expected Compensation$126,720 - $232,200/annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefitsPay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.