Principal Engineer, Electrical Engineering - Controls and Hardware Design

We are seeking a Principal Controls & Hardware Engineer to serve as a technical authority for the architecture, design, and delivery of embedded control hardware used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This role owns control system hardware strategy, drives complex design decisions, and partners across disciplines to deliver reliable, high‑performance systems deployed in production environments.

This position is suited for a deeply experienced engineer with demonstrated leadership in embedded controls, microprocessor‑based systems, and complex control hardware, capable of influencing design direction across multiple programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and design of embedded control hardware for semiconductor manufacturing equipment


• Define and implement control system hardware strategies, standards, and best practices across programs


• Design complex electronic systems incorporating microprocessors, microcontrollers, ADCs, DACs, and mixed‑signal circuitry


• Own schematic capture, design integrity, and review using OrCAD Capture or equivalent EDA tools


• Perform and review analog, digital, and mixed‑signal circuit simulation using OrCAD PSpice or similar tools


• Lead hardware bring‑up, validation, and root‑cause analysis using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and advanced lab instrumentation


• Troubleshoot complex system‑level issues at the hardware and controls interface, including analog, digital, and mixed‑signal domains


• Partner closely with software, embedded firmware, mechanical, and systems engineers to ensure cohesive control system integration


• Provide technical leadership through design reviews, mentoring, and cross‑functional collaboration


• Guide prototype development, risk mitigation, and design trade‑offs across the full product lifecycle


• Author and review high‑quality technical documentation, specifications, and design rationale


• Occasional travel to support development, integration, or escalated technical investigations

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline


• 10+ years of progressive experience designing embedded controls and hardware systems, with demonstrated technical leadership

Core Technical Expertise

• Recognized expertise in embedded controls and control system design


• Extensive experience with microprocessors and microcontroller‑based architectures


• Advanced proficiency in analog, digital, and mixed‑signal circuit design and simulation


• Strong hands‑on experience with electrical circuit simulation using OrCAD PSpice or similar tools


• Proven ability to debug and resolve complex hardware‑level issues across analog, digital, and mixed‑signal systems


• Deep experience designing electronic boards incorporating microcontrollers, ADCs, DACs, and supporting circuitry


• Solid understanding of embedded systems environments and hardware/firmware interfaces


• Expert use of oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and electronic test equipment


• Exceptional attention to detail, technical judgment, and documentation rigor


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience writing embedded firmware or a strong working knowledge of embedded firmware development and debugging


• Experience in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry (preferred, not required)


• Control hardware experience for auto RF matching networks and/or RF generators


• Experience with Texas Instruments Sitara processors


• Experience with Analog Devices Blackfin processors


• Experience with Xilinx Spartan FPGAs


• Background in Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering applied to complex, real‑time control systems