Control Systems Engineer Jobs in Palo Alto, CA

Tesla Energy is seeking a Staff Electrical Safety Architecture Engineer to lead the definition and implementation of electrical protection strategies across our energy products. In this role, you will define comprehensive protection schemes that safeguard both people and capital equipment while integrating seamlessly into broader product and site designs. You will translate first-principles analyses into clear requirements, guide validation testing, and communicate architectural decisions to diverse stakeholders. This position requires deep electrical engineering expertise, strong systems thinking, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

• Define and run analysis on high voltage (HV) electrical protection architectures for AC and DC systems, incorporating devices such as solid-state and conventional fuses, breakers, surge protection devices (SPDs), and related components
• Develop and document clear, traceable requirements that communicate system protection schemes to design engineers
• Perform relevant electrical simulations and analyses (e.g., fault studies, HV protection coordination studies, transient analysis) to support architecture and design decisions
• Define protection device specifications for design purposes
• Guide validation and verification testing to confirm that protection requirements are met under normal, faulted, and extreme conditions
• Apply a systems-engineering mindset to evaluate the downstream impacts of protection choices on product performance, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and site-level integration
• Communicate complex architectural concepts clearly and concisely to engineering, safety, manufacturing, field service, and leadership stakeholders

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of relevant experience in electrical systems design, protection engineering, or safety-critical architecture (energy storage, power conversion, industrial, or utility-scale systems preferred)
• Deep expertise in electrical protection principles for both AC and DC high voltage systems
• Strong fundamentals in electrical engineering, including fault analysis, protection coordination, insulation coordination, and relevant standards (e.g., UL, IEC, NEC)
• Demonstrated ability to run electrical simulations and modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, ETAP, or equivalent)
• Proven experience writing clear technical requirements and leading validation test campaigns
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence without authority
• First-principles thinker who is highly driven, collaborative, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
• Preferred: Familiarity with relevant safety standards (e.g., IEC 62933, IEEE 1584, NFPA 70E) or product safety certification processes
• Preferred: Systems engineering background with exposure to requirements management platforms

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

Expected Compensation

$112,000 - $264,000/annual salary + 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.