Mechanical Engineer, Infrastructure, Energy

About the role

Mechanical Engineer, Infrastructure, Energy | Tesla (Construction & Facilities)

Location: PALO ALTO, California | Req ID: 280123 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Welcome to Infrastructure DesignX — Tesla’s newest high-octane technical engineering team.

We’re not here to maintain the status quo. We’re here to invent the infrastructure that powers the next generation of R&D labs and gigafactories. Think cutting-edge energy systems, radical decarbonization, and performance-obsessed mechanical design that turns “impossible” facility challenges into production reality across the Bay Area and beyond.

As our Energy / Mechanical Engineer, you’ll own the strategies that push our facilities to peak energy performance. You’ll drive energy efficiency moonshots, decarbonization studies, and detailed life cycle cost assessments — translating bold conceptual models into real mechanical systems that actually get built. You’ll sit at the intersection of architecture, electrical, mechanical, and controls, running rapid design optioneering that optimizes every watt, every dollar, and every ton of carbon.

If you get excited by the idea of designing the energy backbone for the most advanced manufacturing and research environments on the planet, this is your arena.

What You'll Do

• Perform comprehensive energy modeling and simulations to optimize building performance, evaluate Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs), and calculate operational carbon emissions (CO2e)
• Research local initiatives and credits for implementing energy efficiency upgrades
• Conceptualize complex mechanical HVAC, central utility plant (CUP), and hydronic distribution systems for large-scale R&D and manufacturing environments
• Conduct detailed heating and cooling load calculations using industry-standard software to size mechanical equipment accurately
• Select and specify mechanical equipment, including chillers, boilers, cooling towers, air handling units (AHUs), pumps, and fans
• Collaborate with the Controls Engineering team to develop sequences of operations that maximize the efficiency of mechanical systems
• Evaluate lifecycle costs of various mechanical system architectures to guide design decisions
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant building codes, mechanical codes, and energy standards (e.g., ASHRAE, California Title 24)
• Manage and prioritize design requests for new construction builds, existing site facilities support, and legacy site enhancement projects
• Research emerging technologies and evaluate performance claims, maturity level (TRL), reliability data, safety/code implications, maintainability, and vendor viability

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience
• Bonus: Professional Engineer (PE) license, Certified Energy Manager (CEM), or LEED AP certifications
• Experience with decarbonization initiatives and CO2 emissions studies
• Proficiency in energy modeling and load calculation software (e.g., EnergyPlus, IESVE, Trane TRACE, Carrier HAP, OpenStudio)
• Deep understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, psychrometrics, and heat transfer
• Proven experience designing custom airside and waterside systems, including variable flow hydronics and specialized exhaust systems
• Familiarity with building information modeling (BIM) software, specifically Autodesk Revit and AutoCAD
• Strong knowledge of sustainable building practices and energy-efficient system design
• Ability to read, interpret, and produce detailed mechanical schematics, P&IDs, and construction documents
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills to collaborate with electrical, controls, and architectural disciplines

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$109,600 - $195,600/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.