Senior Automation / Controls Engineer

ASML US, LLC; 4S Ranch (CA); On-site; USD 143,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

ASML US, LLC in San Diego, CA is seeking a Senior Algorithms & Controls Engineer to lead development of advanced control solutions for EUV light production. You will mentor engineers, define system architectures, and coordinate cross-functional teams across software, sensors, and plasma physics to strengthen performance.

This on-site role requires expertise in MATLAB/Simulink, C/C++, Python, and model-based design, with exposure to lab and cleanroom environments.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing complex feedback control, optimization, or automation systems.
• Experience developing control algorithms using MATLAB and Simulink
• Experience with system integration, troubleshooting, testing, and verification of complex engineering systems

Responsibilities

• Lead development and integration of advanced control systems for stable EUV light production.
• Mentor junior engineers and coordinate cross-functional teams.
• Define system specifications and test verification plans.
• Collaborate across product lifecycle from concept to manufacturing support.
• Travel to customer sites for onsite upgrade and troubleshooting.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Technical leadership

Team collaboration

Mentoring

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in related technical discipline

Master's degree or PhD preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

C/C++

Python

Job description

Introduction to the job

Join the EUV Source team in San Diego and help enable the technology that powers the world's most advanced semiconductor manufacturing systems. As a Senior Algorithms & Controls Engineer, you will lead the development of advanced control solutions that ensure stable, efficient, and reliable EUV light generation. Working at the intersection of control systems, automation, software, sensors, data analytics, and plasma physics, you will drive technical innovation, mentor engineers, and solve complex multidisciplinary challenges that directly impact the performance of ASML's next-generation lithography platforms.

Role and responsibilities

As a Senior Algorithms & Controls Engineer, you will serve as a technical expert within the Plasma Controls Department, responsible for developing and integrating advanced control systems that enable stable EUV light production. You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams and contribute throughout the entire product lifecycle, from concept development through qualification and manufacturing support.

You will:

• Serve as a technical expert for one or more control/optimization/calibration subsystems, capable of independent decision making for critical technical issues.
• Perform feasibility studies, support the development of product roadmaps, advise on future product definition and system specifications.
• Monitor integrity of system architecture during development, ensure the availability of Test Specifications, and coordinate or execute the testing process and design verification.
• Coordinate or execute the testing process and design verification in lab test bench and cleanroom fabrication environment
• Coordinate the specification of system functionalities, and design the system architecture based whilst ensuring commonality between products and subsystems across all programs, support program definition, co-ordinate decomposition and specification of sub systems, and support the review process and approval of designs in co-operation with applicable Product- and Project- Management.
• Define, plan, manage and coordinate assigned (portfolio of) projects and ensure execution and delivery, within the project management guidelines.
• Ensure and support optimal communication of specifications to all relevant parties to improve the decision processes, and prepare the introduction of approved new projects by defining all technical specifications on system level for Development & Engineering.
• Leads and mentors junior controls engineers, leads the development and integration of innovative control system solutions to enable stable and efficient production of EUV.
• Organize, coordinate, optimize, lead, coach, develop and appraise employees within the person's expertise / team.
• Applies broad knowledge in sensors, actuators, control algorithms, automation, software, and data analysis tools to drive control system improvements to enable continuously increased EUV power and system availability.
• Leads and performs integration activates including trouble shooting the control system, designing and executing test plans, to ensure the system functions as designed in the EUV light source. Such activities can take place in lab test bench and manufacturing cleanroom at various ASML sites.
• Documents work results with system requirements, design specifications, procedures, and training materials.
• Travel to customer sites to provide onsite support, including hands-on upgrade and troubleshooting in cleanroom fabrication facilities
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Algorithms and Controls Specific

• Performs the design, development, and implementation of complex algorithms involving controller design, optimization, system identification, signal processing and stochastic signal analysis for the EUV Source & other equipment used in the semiconductor industry.
• Works from broadly defined systems specifications to determine appropriate top-down automation, control system and algorithm architecture.
• Generates requirements and design specifications for automation logic and implementation.
• Mentors more junior level algorithm engineers through technical guidance and assistance.
• Investigates the feasibility of applying scientific and mathematical control design principles and concepts to potential inventions and products.
• Plans and executes laboratory research pertaining to algorithm design and validation in lab test bench and/or cleanroom
• Designs and builds tools that allow debugging, analysis and performance evaluation of algorithms. Determines the root cause for algorithm failure in products in the manufacturing factory and in fielded units in high-level escalations.

Education and experience

To help us tackle the technical challenges we face, you'll need strong experience in controls engineering, automation, and algorithm development within complex high-technology environments.

As a Senior Algorithms & Controls Engineer, you'll need:

• Bachelor's degree in Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline. Master's degree or PhD preferred.
• Must possess 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience designing and implementing complex feedback control, optimization, or automation systems
• Experience developing control algorithms using MATLAB and Simulink
• Experience with system integration, troubleshooting, testing, and verification of complex engineering systems
• Experience with semiconductor equipment, plasma systems, lithography systems, or other advanced high-tech products is preferred
• Working knowledge of C/C++ and Python is highly desirable

Skills

Working at the forefront of semiconductor technology means solving highly complex technical challenges every day. Success in this role requires strong analytical thinking, technical leadership, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

To thrive in this role, you'll need the following skills:

• Strong knowledge of modern control theory, optimization techniques, stochastic processes, and nonlinear control systems.
• Excellent analytical and data-driven problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to analyze large datasets and communicate findings through clear written, verbal, and graphical formats.
• Strong technical leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to translate system-level requirements into practical engineering solutions.
• Experience working in fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering environments
• Strong proficiency with MATLAB and Simulink.
• Ability to perform hands-on laboratory and integration activities, including troubleshooting hardware and control systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and engineering documentation tools.

Other Information

• This position is located on-site in San Diego, CA . It requires onsite presence to attend in-person work-related events, trainings and meetings and to further ensure teamwork, collaboration and innovation.
• A flexible workplace arrangement may be available to employees working in roles conducive to remote work (up to two days a week).
• Routinely required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch. Occasionally required to move around the campus.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

• Must be willing to work in a clean room environment, wearing coveralls, hoods, booties, safety glasses and gloves for entire duration of shift.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch.

#LI-MO1

The current base annual salary range for this role is currently:

$142,800-196,350

Pay scales are determined by role, level, location and alignment with market data. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of several factors that that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and pay relative to other team members.

• The Company offers employees and their families, medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• Employees are able to participate in the Company's 401k plan.
• Employees will also receive eight (8) hours of vacation leave every month and (13) paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

All new ASML jobs have a minimum application deadline of 10 days.

This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. * 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.

Request an Accommodation

ASML provides reasonable accommodations to applicants for ASML employment and ASML employees with disabilities. An accommodation is a change in work rules, facilities, or conditions which enable an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of a job, and/or enjoy equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise participate in the employee pre-selection process, please send an email to [e-mail] to initiate the company's reasonable accommodation process.

Please note: This email address is solely intended to provide a method for applicants to initiate ASML’s process to request accommodation(s). Any recruitment questions should be directed to the designated Talent Acquisition member for the position.