Thermal Controls Engineer, Vehicle Controls

As a member of Tesla's Thermal Vehicle Controls team, you will design, simulate, and help implement and calibrate sophisticated algorithms to manage thermal performance of the powertrain, battery-packs, heat pump, and cabin HVAC systems in Tesla's vehicles. You will be challenged by a wide range of problems like optimal thermal controls of batteries for supercharging, process control for the Tesla heat pump, thermal management of drive systems and power electronics, and even that of occupants through climate control.



Responsibilities

• Research and develop estimation and control algorithms for thermal management of the cabin HVAC, and heat pump, to deliver the best customer-experience in terms of performance, range, NVH, and cabin comfort
• Develop control-oriented system models and use them to develop and refine control strategies and drive their implementation
• Work closely with Firmware, Integration and Hardware Engineers to implement, test, and debug these algorithms
• Work collaboratively with Mechanical, Electrical, and Firmware Engineers to define control system capability and establish actuation/sensing requirements
• Monitor, investigate, and close the loop on customer feedback of climate control performance
• Plan and execute focused test-trips to identify and resolve issues with algorithm performance in a variety of climates
• Collaborate with reliability engineering to run fleet data queries and maintain HVAC centric dashboard
• Provide input to HVAC Hardware Engineering teams on potential updates to improve customer experience
• Drive tesla vehicles on daily basis to provide feedbacks and drive notes to identify bugs and area need improvements
• Advance the state-of-the-art in Thermal and HVAC Control systems

Requirements

• Excellent background in linear systems analysis, observers and state-estimation, and first principles design and analysis of control systems
• Excellent proficiency with creating controls-oriented dynamic system models of thermal, hydraulic, or mechanical systems in Matlab/Simulink/Python etc.
• Demonstrated ability to ground-up design, analyze, and implement control systems in real-world applications
• Strong fundamentals of heat-transfer and thermodynamics, devices like pumps, radiators, refrigerant systems, etc.
• Excellent proficiency with analysis of large data sets in MATLAB/Python
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally, work hands-on, and execute on open-ended projects in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment
• Comfort working in actual vehicles and/or test-benches to test/refine controller designs
• Basic proficiency with Embedded Firmware development in C/C++
• Experience with Controls System development, modeling, and implementation in real world applications
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent in experience and evidence of exceptional ability

Compensation and Benefits
Benefits

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

• Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical 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 Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• LGBTQ+ care concierge services
• 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
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary 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


Expected Compensation

$104,000 - $348,000/annual salary, depending on level + cash and stock awards + benefits

Pay 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.