Staff Facilities Design Engineer, Dry Mechanical Systems, Solar Manufacturing

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