Lead Mechatronics Design Engineer

VDL Enabling Technologies Group (Singapore); Singapore; On-site; SGD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

VDL Enabling Technologies Group (Singapore) seeks a Lead Mechatronic Design Engineer to steer controls and automation for high‑tech machine systems. You own the PLC software, motion control and test tooling across the full product lifecycle, from requirements through commissioning to release.

You will mentor engineers, define software architectures, and deliver integrated solutions with Beckhoff TwinCAT, Python and MATLAB.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechatronics, Electrical, Automation, Systems & Control Engineering or related field.
• Approximately 10 years of industrial automation or mechatronic experience.
• Extensive PLC programming and HMI development experience.
• Beckhoff TwinCAT (Structured Text) experience preferred.
• Knowledge of EtherCAT-based architectures is an advantage.
• Strong systems thinking and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the controls, automation and motion-control scope within development projects and provide technical leadership to mechatronic engineers.
• Analyze customer, product and system requirements and translate these into control architectures, software requirements and implementation strategies.
• Support early project phases by evaluating concepts, defining technical scope, identifying technical risks and developing engineering effort estimates.
• Define software architectures, machine operating sequences, state machines and motion-control concepts.
• Lead the development of PLC, HMI and motion-control solutions using platforms such as Beckhoff TwinCAT, Python and MATLAB.
• Lead the development and implementation of factory automation solutions that improve manufacturing efficiency, quality and operational performance by working closely with our manufacturing and assembly teams.
• Lead the design and development of test, validation and qualification equipment used for product qualification in our factory.
• Define and verify motion-control performance related to accuracy, stability, repeatability and throughput.
• Support system integration, commissioning, validation and qualification activities.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software and system engineers to develop integrated machine solutions.
• Coach and mentor engineers in PLC programming, motion control, software engineering and engineering best practices.
• Contribute to the development of mechatronics engineering standards, development methodologies and competence growth within the organization.

Skills

PLC programming

Motion control

HMI development

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Python

MATLAB

Simulink

EtherCAT

Version control

Servo systems

High-precision automation

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechatronics or related field

Tools

Git/Bitbucket

Beckhoff TwinCAT

MATLAB

Job description

*Be Part of Our Success Story as We Expand and Evolve*

Purpose:

As Lead Mechatronic Design Engineer, you are the technical lead for the development of machine automation, motion control systems, test equipment and qualification tooling for semiconductor manufacturing and other high-tech applications.

Within multidisciplinary development teams, you take ownership of the controls and automation aspects throughout the complete product development lifecycle, from requirements analysis and concept development through software implementation, verification, commissioning and product release.

You combine strong expertise in PLC software engineering, motion control and machine automation with a hands-on engineering mindset. You provide technical leadership, coaching and guidance to mechatronic engineers, while helping to further develop the controls and automation engineering competence within the organization.

Key Area of Responsibilities:

• Take ownership of the controls, automation and motion-control scope within development projects and provide technical leadership to mechatronic engineers.

• Analyze customer, product and system requirements and translate these into control architectures, software requirements and implementation strategies.

• Support early project phases by evaluating concepts, defining technical scope, identifying technical risks and developing engineering effort estimates.

• Define software architectures, machine operating sequences, state machines and motion-control concepts.

• Lead the development of PLC, HMI and motion-control solutions using platforms such as Beckhoff TwinCAT, Python and MATLAB.

• Lead the development and implementation of factory automation solutions that improve manufacturing efficiency, quality and operational performance by working closely with our manufacturing and assembly teams.

• Lead the design and development of test, validation and qualification equipment used for product qualification in our factory.

• Define and verify motion-control performance related to accuracy, stability, repeatability and throughput.

• Support system integration, commissioning, validation and qualification activities.

• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software and system engineers to develop integrated machine solutions.

• Coach and mentor engineers in PLC programming, motion control, software engineering and engineering best practices.

• Contribute to the development of mechatronics engineering standards, development methodologies and competence growth within the organization.

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Systems & Control Engineering, Software Engineering or a related discipline.

• Approximately 10 years of experience in industrial automation, machine control, motion control or mechatronic system development.

• Extensive experience with PLC programming and HMI development for industrial equipment, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT (Structured Text).

• Knowledge of EtherCAT-based system architectures is an advantage.

• Experience with software engineering practices, including version-control systems such as Bitbucket or Git.

• Strong experience with motion-control systems, servo systems and high-precision machine automation.

• Experience with simulation, debugging and performance analysis using tools such as Python, MATLAB, Simulink or equivalent.

• Experience developing or supporting test, validation and qualification systems is highly desirable.

• Experience with semiconductor equipment, precision engineering systems or other high-tech capital equipment is preferred.

• Strong systems-thinking capability, analytical problem-solving skills and a passion for machine automation and motion control.

• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.