Development Engineer - Automation and Control

VAT Vakuumventile AG; Haag; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT Group, based in Haag, St. Gallen, CH, seeks a Development Engineer - Automation and Control to lead automation system design and data-driven testing for R&D labs.

You will implement data acquisition, experiment automation, and advanced control algorithms for high-performance gas control systems. Ideal candidates hold MSc/PhD in engineering, with strong control theory, industrial automation, and 3+ years in automated testing.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, control engineering, mechatronics or similar.
• Strong skills in control theory and industrial automation.
• 3+ years in designing and implementing automated testing setups.
• Experience with PLC programming (Beckhoff, Siemens or similar).
• Experience with industrial communication protocols.
• Programming skills in Matlab/Simulink or Python.
• Vacuum technology/semiconductors experience beneficial.
• System engineering knowledge beneficial.
• Hands-on, systematic, creative thinker with problem solving and team spirit.

Responsibilities

• Concept definition and implementation of automation systems for R&D test rigs and laboratory systems.
• Develop data acquisition and experiment automation functions to test gas sensing and control technology.
• Development of advanced control algorithms for high performance gas control systems.
• Develop, perform and document experiments (DoE) with results in an organized, structured way.
• Cooperate among cross-functional teams within VAT R&D and external partners.
• Occasional on-site support of newly developed applications/products at customer site.

Skills

Control systems

Industrial automation

PLC programming

Data acquisition

Experiment automation

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

System engineering

Team collaboration

Education

MSc or PhD in mechanical or electrical engineering, control engineering, mechatronics

Tools

Beckhoff PLC

Siemens PLC

Job description

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Development Engineer - Automation and Control

Location: Haag, St. Gallen, CH

Employment Type: Permanent

About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation – always working together as #oneVAT.

Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

The manufacturing of a high-end microchip requires over 1000 production steps. Vacuum valves are considered to be critical components as they are in proximity to the semiconductor wafer and impact the process performance. Semiconductor fabs like Intel, Samsung or TSMC have increasing expectations for productivity and production yield. These fabs are increasingly using data generated along the manufacturing process to improve production performance. Smart, connected vacuum components are required for smart semiconductor manufacturing fabs enabling predictive maintenance, increasing performance and productivity.

Our products are key components in any semiconductor processing tool worldwide. To extend our market leadership in advanced pressure control for sub-2 nm chip production we want to strengthen our team with experienced engineers with a passion for automation and control systems.

Your responsibilities:

• Concept definition and implementation of automation systems for R&D test rigs and laboratory systems
• Develop data acquisition and experiment automation functions to test gas sensing and control technology
• Development of advanced control algorithms for high performance gas control systems
• Develop, perform and document experiments (DoE) including results in organized and structured way
• Cooperate among cross-functional teams of experts within VAT R&D organization and external technology partners
• Occasional on-site support of newly developed applications/products at customer site.

Your profile:

• Engineering Degree (MSc or PhD) in mechanical or electrical engineering, control engineering, mechatronics or similar
• Strong skills and knowledge in control system theory and industrial automation
• 3+ years of industry experience in design and implementation of (semi or fully) automated testing setups
• Experience with PLC programming, e.g. Beckhoff, Siemens or similar automation software
• Experience with industrial communication protocols
• Programming skills in Matlab Simulink or Python
• Work experience in vacuum technology / semiconductors beneficial
• System engineering knowledge is beneficial
• Hands on, systematic approach, creative thinker with problem solving skills and team spirit

Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities

We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct .