Senior Advanced Control & Automation Engineer- Semiconductor Equipment

JOB DESCRIPTION

Senior Advanced Control & Automation Engineer – Semiconductor Equipment

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Axcelis Technologies develops innovative capital equipment for the semiconductor industry. Our Platform Controls team develops control architectures, industrial automation solutions, and advanced control algorithms that enable reliable, high-performance operation of complex subsystems.

As part of the Platform Controls team, this role is for a creative, self-motivated controls engineer to develop, integrate, and maintain industrial automation and control systems for robots, actuators, heaters, I/O devices, and other subsystems used in wafer handling and process equipment. The ideal candidate brings strong experience with PLC programming, MATLAB-based modeling and analysis, EtherCAT networks, FPGA-based controls, and advanced control methods including artificial neural networks (ANN) and machine learning (ML).

The Role

We are seeking a Senior Advanced Controls & Automation Engineer to support the design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced control and automation systems for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This role is intended for candidates with 3–10 years of experience and is broad enough to accommodate engineers with strengths in PLC-based automation, real-time control systems, motion and industrial network integration, FPGA-based control implementation, controls modeling, and intelligent control methods. The ideal candidate is technically strong, hands-on, and able to contribute across multiple phases of the product lifecycle while working with cross-functional engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, integrate, and support industrial automation and control systems used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment and related electromechanical subsystems.
• Develop and maintain PLC-based control logic, industrial automation sequences, interlocks, alarms, and machine state control for complex equipment.
• Design, configure, and validate EtherCAT-based control networks and interfaces for servo drives, remote I/O, sensors, actuators, and distributed subsystems.
• Support FPGA-based controls development and integration for high-speed or deterministic control functions, signal processing, and hardware interfacing.
• Use MATLAB and related engineering tools for controls modeling, simulation, tuning, data analysis, and performance optimization.
• Develop, implement, or evaluate advanced control strategies including model-based control, ANN, and ML approaches for improved system performance, diagnostics, or predictive capabilities.
• Lead or support system integration, debug, root-cause analysis, and performance optimization during development, qualification, and production support.
• Create and execute test plans, analyze system behavior and data, and document results to verify functionality, performance, and reliability.
• Collaborate with software, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, systems, and field teams to resolve technical issues and improve product performance.
• Contribute to design reviews, DFx efforts, risk reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives related to controls robustness, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Travel domestically and internationally as required (typically less than 10%).

Requirements

• 3–10 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, motion control, robotics, semiconductor equipment, or related electromechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of control theory fundamentals, industrial automation architectures, servo systems, and system-level integration.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, automation sequencing, industrial I/O, and machine control concepts.
• Experience with MATLAB for modeling, analysis, control design, data visualization, or simulation.
• Experience with EtherCAT-based systems, industrial communication networks, and distributed control architectures.
• Experience with FPGA-based controls, real-time hardware implementation, or high-speed control interfaces.
• Familiarity with advanced controls, such as model-based control, ANN, ML, or other data-driven control and diagnostics approaches.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, controls, and software interactions in complex systems.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical drawings.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and hands-on debugging skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across cross-functional teams.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of managing work across multiple priorities in a fast-paced engineering environment.
• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or a related field required.
• PhD degree or equivalent practical experience is preferred.

Experience

Typically 3–10 years of hands-on engineering experience involving industrial automation, PLC-based machine control, motion control, semiconductor equipment, robotics, or related precision electromechanical systems.

Experience with the Following Is a Plus

• Experience with PLC platforms, structured text, ladder logic, or other industrial automation programming environments.
• Experience with EtherCAT masters, servo drives, remote I/O, and distributed motion/control systems.
• Working knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, Python, or similar engineering and data analysis tools.
• Experience with FPGA development workflows or collaboration with FPGA design teams for real-time controls implementation.
• Familiarity with advanced controls, data-driven methods, ANN, ML, or predictive diagnostics in industrial systems.
• Experience with semiconductor manufacturing equipment, vacuum systems, or other complex automated equipment.
• Ability to work onsite a minimum of three days per week.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Axcelis to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment for all persons free from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, disability status, medical condition (including pregnancy), veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.  Axcelis will provide reasonable accommodation necessary to enable a disabled candidate or employee to perform the essential functions of the position, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the Company.
 

U.S. BASE SALARY RANGE

This base salary range reflects the typical compensation for this role across U.S. locations.

Our salary ranges are determined by role and level; individual pay is determined based on

multiple factors, including job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, work

location, and internal equity. The range provides the opportunity for growth and progression as

you develop within the role.

Base pay is one part of our U.S. total compensation package which includes eligibility in the

Axcelis Team Incentive bonus plan, and comprehensive benefits package (for regular

employees working 20+ hours a week).