Real-Time Embedded Firmware Lead, Vacuum Systems

Fab2; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Paid Time Off

Visa Sponsorship

Life and Disability Insurance

Paid Parental Leave

401(k) retirement plan

Weekly Learning & Development

Commuter Benefits

Lunches daily, Dinners 3x per week

Stocked Office Kitchen

Job summary

fab2 seeks an Embedded Software Lead for Vacuum Systems to steer the firmware architecture for deposition and etch tools and to guide a team of firmware engineers. You will own real-time control software development, implement sensing and timing-critical loops, and collaborate with hardware, manufacturing, and test teams to deliver robust hardware-in-the-loop validation and production-ready firmware.

Experience with C, Rust, and Python, and a track record shipping embedded firmware in

Qualifications

• BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 7+ years developing microcontroller firmware for electromechanical devices in shipped products.
• 2+ years leading or managing firmware engineers.
• Deep background in real-time controls with sensing, timing-critical control loops, diagnostics, and communication interfaces.
• Proficiency in C for embedded targets; Python for tooling and analysis.
• Experience with a real-time operating system and standard MCU interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN).
• Working knowledge of electronics: reading schematics, board bring-up, scopes and logic analyzers.
• FMEA experience for electromechanical devices, with a track record of incorporating results into firmware design.
• Demonstrated collaboration with hardware and manufacturing teams through design, integration, and production.

Responsibilities

• Own firmware architecture and roadmap for deposition and etch tools and their components: MFCs, pumps, pressure controllers, valve manifolds, heaters, and gas delivery.
• Design and implement real-time control algorithms for temperature regulation, valve sequencing, RF plasma sources, and other semiconductor process equipment.
• Write and review production firmware in C and Rust, with Python for tooling and test.
• Lead FMEA for firmware and firmware-adjacent failure modes, design interlocks and watchdogs, root-cause field and test failures.
• Partner with electronic hardware engineering on board bring-up, schematic review, sensor and driver selection, and design-for-firmware.
• Partner with vacuum hardware team on control requirements, actuator characterization, and system integration.
• Partner with manufacturing team to enable hardware device testing and calibration.
• Build and maintain hardware-in-the-loop and bench test infrastructure for firmware validation.
• Uphold code and testing standards through feedback and code review.
• Hire and mentor team members.

Skills

Firmware development

Real-time controls

C programming

Python scripting

RTOS experience

SPI I2C UART CAN

Electronics knowledge

FMEA experience

Team leadership

Education

B.S. in Computer/ Electrical Engineering or CS or Physics

Job description

fab2 seeks an Embedded Software Lead for Vacuum Systems to steer the firmware architecture for deposition and etch tools and to guide a team of firmware engineers. You will own real-time control software development, implement sensing and timing-critical loops, and collaborate with hardware, manufacturing, and test teams to deliver robust hardware-in-the-loop validation and production-ready firmware.

Experience with C, Rust, and Python, and a track record shipping embedded firmware in