Manufacturing Test Engineer

Description

Tesla is looking for a Manufacturing Test Engineer to develop, commission, and sustain the automated test systems on our battery pack and module lines in Tilburg. You will be responsible for the performance, reliability, and availability of end-of-line and in-process test equipment — from initial specification and build through validation, commissioning, ramp, and long-term continuous improvement.

Our test architecture is built on modern software foundations, with test sequencing and instrument control developed in Go, backed by Python for data analysis and tooling. You will own tester uptime, first pass yield, cycle time, and measurement integrity, working hands-on with high-voltage test systems, data acquisition hardware, and the software that drives them. You will collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Process, Equipment, Controls, Quality, and Maintenance Engineering to close performance gaps and bring new and modified lines online.

This role involves working with high-voltage live batteries and other hazardous energy, using mandated PPE and procedures. Tesla is a demanding and fast-paced environment where you will work with a highly motivated team on challenging problems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and commission manufacturing test systems for battery packs and modules — including test hardware, fixtures, DAQ, and test sequences — through FAT, SAT, qualification, and handover to production
• Develop and maintain test software in Go, building and extending test sequences, instrument drivers, and hardware abstraction for automated test stations, with Python for data analysis and supporting tooling
• Integrate test systems with MES and factory data platforms, using interfaces such as gRPC, protobuf, REST APIs, or message brokers, and contribute to CI/CD pipelines and automated software testing for test applications
• Drive improvements in tester uptime, hardware reliability, software stability, cycle time, and first pass yield across the installed test fleet, including support of legacy NI-based test systems where they remain in service
• Support equipment debugging, qualification, and ramp-up activities for new and updated manufacturing lines, including on-site installation and start-up
• Provide post-deployment support, performing root-cause analysis and implementing corrective and preventive actions for test system failures and false calls, including analysis of CAN traces and communication logs
• Validate measurement integrity through gage studies, correlation, and calibration management, ensuring test limits are appropriate and test escapes and overkill are minimised
• Conduct pre-deployment data analysis and Voice of the Customer sessions with Production and Maintenance, build data tools and dashboards that turn test data into actionable engineering decisions, and maintain comprehensive test documentation, SOPs, and training material for Production and Maintenance teams

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with automated test systems in a production or high-voltage laboratory environment; battery pack, module, or cell manufacturing strongly preferred, with adjacent industries such as EV powertrain, energy storage, automotive, or electronics manufacturing equally welcome
• Proficiency in Go, or strong proficiency in another compiled or object-oriented language (C/C++, C#, Java, Rust) with demonstrated ability and willingness to develop in Go, plus working knowledge of Python for data analysis
• Experience developing software that controls physical hardware — instrument drivers, device communication, test sequencing, and state machines — with emphasis on maintainability, structure, and version control (Git); familiarity with gRPC, REST APIs, containerised deployment, or CI/CD is a plus
• Hands-on experience with high-voltage test systems, industrial sensors, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems, including electrical safety practices for working with live batteries; experience with legacy NI frameworks (TestStand, LabVIEW) is a plus
• Working knowledge of CAN bus and embedded communication protocols, with the ability to interpret and troubleshoot communication traces
• Experience commissioning and qualifying equipment, including risk assessment, acceptance testing, and structured problem solving (8D, DMAIC, Ishikawa, 5 Whys); ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, with schematic design or 3D CAD for test fixtures a plus
• Exceptional organisation and communication skills in English, an analytical and detail-oriented working style, and willingness to work shifts, weekends, and occasional international travel as determined by project needs