Staff Facilities Design Engineer, Dry Mechanical Systems, Solar Manufacturing

About the role

Staff Facilities Design Engineer, Dry Mechanical Systems, Solar Manufacturing | Tesla (Energy Engineering)

Location: AUSTIN, Texas | Req ID: 281708 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Project Crystal is Tesla’s multi-GW solar manufacturing program spanning polysilicon refining, monocrystalline ingot growth, wafering, and high-efficiency cell manufacturing. Facility air systems and process exhaust are foundational to tool performance, product quality, and personnel safety.

As a Senior or Staff Facilities Design Engineer focused on Dry Mechanical Systems, you will own design direction for HVAC, process exhaust, and abatement interfaces across Crystal manufacturing buildings. You will ensure air systems meet process cleanliness, heat load, hazardous exhaust, and code/life-safety requirements while remaining buildable, maintainable, and energy-efficient at scale.

What You'll Do

• Own dry mechanical basis of design (BOD), design criteria, and system architecture for Crystal manufacturing buildings (pilot through scale)
• Process and facility HVAC (AHUs, MAUs, recirculation, pressurization, temperature/humidity control); process exhaust (acid, alkali, VOC, general, specialty); exhaust abatement interfaces (wet scrubbers, thermal systems, local tool abatement); hazardous/pyrophoric area ventilation and emergency exhaust strategies
• Convert process equipment utility matrices (EQM), heat loads, exhaust chemistries, and layout constraints into air-side capacity, zoning, duct/exhaust architecture, and abatement strategies
• Lead and technically direct A&E / design firms; review airflow calculations, duct layouts, equipment selections, controls sequences, specifications, and IFC packages
• Identify and specify long-lead dry mechanical equipment (AHUs/MAUs, exhaust fans, scrubbers, abatement units, specialty filtration) and support procurement technical evaluation
• Partner tightly with Wet Mechanical, Process (specialty gases, bulk chemicals, vacuum), Electrical, Controls, Architecture, Structural, Fire Protection, EHS/Process Safety, Tool Install, Construction, and Commissioning
• Design exhaust and HVAC strategies that satisfy HPM/process safety requirements and coordinate with gas detection, emergency shutdown, and life-safety systems
• Support construction RFIs, shop drawing review, field coordination, TAB expectations, and commissioning planning for dry systems
• Mentor junior engineers and set technical bar for dry mechanical design quality across the program (Staff expectation)

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 8-12+ years with demonstrated technical leadership of complex industrial HVAC/exhaust design.
• Proven ownership of industrial dry mechanical design packages (HVAC and process exhaust) from BOD through construction documents
• Hands-on design experience in semiconductor fab, solar manufacturing, battery gigafactory, specialty chemical, or comparable advanced manufacturing environments
• Strong knowledge of industrial HVAC, process exhaust duct design, corrosion-resistant materials for acid/alkali service, and abatement system interfaces
• Ability to interpret process equipment exhaust chemistry and flow data; comfortable sizing fans, duct mains, make-up air, and scrubber/abatement interfaces
• Experience directing or QC’ing external A&E deliverables
• Working knowledge of applicable codes and standards (ASHRAE, IMC/UMC as applicable, NFPA, FM Global practices, SEMI guidelines where relevant)
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present technical recommendations to program leadership

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)