Senior Machine Control Software Engineer

Halo Industries, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Stock Option Plan

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

Free Food & Snacks

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Job summary

Halo Industries, Inc. is seeking a Machine Control Software Engineer in Santa Clara, California. This role focuses on the development, integration, and maintenance of software for semiconductor production tools, requiring expertise in C#, industrial communication protocols, and automation systems. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience. The position offers a competitive salary, health care, retirement plans, and a supportive workplace culture emphasizing diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience in machine control or automation.
• Hands-on experience with industrial communication protocols.
• Experience developing software in C# for hardware control.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain machine control software for semiconductor equipment.
• Implement industrial communication protocols like Modbus and TCP/IP.
• Integrate hardware components such as robotics and motion systems.

Skills

Machine control

Automation

Industrial software development

C# programming

Industrial communication protocols

Debugging skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

PLC systems

SECS/GEM

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Job description

Company Overview

Halo Industries has invented a technology to replace a decades‑old semiconductor material wire saw slicing process that wastes billions of dollars annually in high‑value materials. Halo’s laser‑based technology eliminates this waste from the silicon carbide (SiC) substrate manufacturing process, delivering improvements in both material cost and performance, while enabling accelerated growth for a diverse set of high‑growth application markets, including the electric vehicle, grid infrastructure, industrial HVAC and other high‑voltage power electronics sectors. Halo originally spun out of Stanford University in 2014, acquiring a significant series A round of VC funding in 2020 following the successful demonstration of the company’s precision material slicing equipment. Having recently closed on an $80M+ B round of VC funding, Halo is driving the fast‑scale growth of the company’s team and manufacturing operations. Halo Industries is well‑funded, deeply engaged with multiple strategic customers, and staged to achieve rapid operational, revenue, and valuation growth.

Opportunity

As Halo transitions from R&D to high‑volume manufacturing, we are seeking a Machine Control Software Engineer to support the development, integration, and maintenance of equipment control systems for our semiconductor production tools. This role will focus on hands‑on software development and system integration, working closely with cross‑functional engineering teams. The engineer will report to a senior member of the machine control team and contribute to building reliable, scalable automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain machine control software for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
• Implement and integrate industrial communication protocols, including SECS/GEM, TCP/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus, Ethernet/IP, and RS232/RS485.
• Develop software in C# (including WPF) for graphical user interfaces, device communication, and system monitoring.
• Integrate hardware components such as robotics, motion systems, lasers, and data acquisition devices.
• Support development of operator control systems and state machines for automated equipment.
• Assist in debugging, testing, and validation at both system and component levels.
• Work with PLCs and interface with external controllers where required.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to ensure proper system integration.
• Follow established control standards, safety practices, and software development processes.
• Contribute to documentation, version control, and code quality practices.

Requirements

Basic Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 3+ years of relevant experience in machine control, automation, or industrial software development.
• Hands‑on experience with industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, TCP/IP, serial interfaces).
• Experience developing software in C# for hardware control and UI applications.
• Familiarity with PLC systems and industrial automation hardware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SECS/GEM and factory automation systems.
• Experience with machine vision or camera systems.
• Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).
• Background in mechatronics or automation systems.
• Understanding of motion control concepts, including PID loop control and state machine design.
• Exposure to wafer handling robots or semiconductor devices.
• Awareness of functional safety standards such as IEC 61508 and ISO 26262.
• Strong problem‑solving and debugging skills in complex electromechanical systems.
• Good communication skills and attention to detail.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
• Stock Option Plan
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Free Food & Snacks
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• Base salary $125,000 - $140,000

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all team members feel valued and supported. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities in STEM. If you meet most of the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.