Forward Deployed Engineer

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Forward Deployed Engineer

| Job Category | Construction & Facilities | | Location | Austin, Texas | | Req. ID | 265636 | | Job Type | Full-time |

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking an experienced Forward Deployed Engineer with a proven track record in on-site deployment and optimization of infrastructure operating systems. This role is critical in executing rapid deployments, troubleshooting real-time issues, and ensuring seamless integration of technology and infrastructure to support Tesla's global operations, including Gigafactories, Megapack sites, and Solar. This is a traveling position, up to 50% of the time.

What You’ll Do

• Utilize existing dashboards to triage and understand project health and align with stakeholders
• Deploy and engage users to adopt systems for project forecasting, construction analytics, and project health monitoring on-site, providing immediate insights to inform local team strategies and resource allocation
• Study existing workflows, design new inputs or improvements and scale the workflow to increase user adoption. This includes documenting and translating proposed improvements for future infrastructure projects and course correcting process deviations
• Apply data-driven tools and innovations—such as predictive analytic and AI tools, directly in the field to optimize scheduling, productivity, material flow, and risk management during active deployments
• Collaborate with partner organizations to ensure organizational flow amongst project deployments
• Take existing processes and implement long term solutions that are scalable for next-generation infrastructure, prioritizing safety, quality, and speed in high-pressure, forward-operating environments
• Act as the on-the-ground technical expert, traveling to end users across multiple sites translating deployment challenges into actionable solutions and driving progress through effective communication to remote leadership for quick alignment and decision-making. Expect 50% of travel to projects to support on the ground

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Computer Science, or related field), Finance, or equivalent experience

• Proven experience in forward-deployed roles across full project lifecycles—from on-site setup and integration to troubleshooting and commissioning—in manufacturing, renewable energy, or industrial infrastructure settings

• Demonstrates experience or curiosity with software or automation techniques. Includes software tools and platforms like SQL for database querying; Python, C-Sharp, and R for statistical analysis; visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI; and hands-on experience with real-time data pipelines (e.g., Apache Kafka or AWS Kinesis)

• Strong software engineering skills, including version control with Git, containerization and orchestration using Docker and Kubernetes, CI/CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins or GitHub Actions), and familiar with deployment pipelines

• Experience with automation scripting (e.g., Bash, Ansible) and integrating software with hardware systems, such as IoT devices or embedded systems, to enable real-time monitoring and deployment in field settings

• Demonstrated ability to deploy and scale analytics solutions on-site, including setting up KPIs, automating local reporting, and integrating insights into daily workflows under tight deadlines

• Experience in cross-functional, forward-deployed teams involving engineering, procurement, construction, and finance—navigating ambiguity and adapting to fast-paced, remote-site challenges

• A first-principles approach to deployment: questioning on-site assumptions, innovating with available resources, and optimizing processes, materials, and sequencing in real time

• Strong field presence: You communicate technical issues clearly and confidently, whether in high-stakes site meetings, remote syncs, or hands-on troubleshooting sessions

• Tesla is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any factor, including veteran status and disability status, protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

• Tesla is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.

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