Senior Precision Stage Architect V - (E5)

Applied Materials; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 224,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Bonus programs

Health benefits

Job summary

Applied Materials in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a Senior Precision Stage Architect V to own the end-to-end architecture of high-precision motion stages and their mechatronic subsystems, shaping mechanical structure, actuation, sensing, metrology, and motion control.

You will guide a multidisciplinary team in translating positioning, dynamic, and throughput requirements into a unified mechanical/control co-design.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics or Controls (MS preferred).
• Deep knowledge of system engineering, control theory, and multi-axis motion control.
• Hands-on mechatronic co-design: dynamic modeling and control-loop tuning.
• Experience with motion control hardware, FPGA/DSP-based systems, drives, and sensors.
• Familiarity with SEMI S2/S8/S14, NFPA 79, CE, EMI/EMC safety.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools and layout software.

Responsibilities

• Define the control system architecture for precision stages and fault tolerance.
• Develop dynamic models and integrate with real-time control hardware.
• Lead architecture brainstorming and drive subsystem requirements.
• Support system integration, testing, and qualification.
• Ensure designs meet market requirements and regulatory standards.
• Mentor and guide a multidisciplinary team.

Job description

Role: Senior Precision Stage Architect V (E5)

Location: Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)

Job Summary: Owns the end‑to‑end architecture of high‑precision motion stages and their mechatronic subsystems, shaping mechanical structure, actuation, sensing, metrology, and motion control. Guides a multidisciplinary team in translating positioning, dynamic, and throughput requirements into a unified mechanical/control co‑design.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete definition and design of complex precision‑stage mechanical components, modules, and mechatronic sub‑systems, treating mechanics and controls as a co‑designed system.
• Define the control system architecture for precision stages, including servo loop topology, partitioning, feedforward strategy, sensor/actuator selection, and mechanical/control trade‑offs.
• Set and drive the technical direction for stage controls: establish roadmap, error budgets, and quantitative performance targets (nanometer‑class positioning, dynamic following error, settling time, throughput).
• Serve as the technical expert in precision motion and stage control, demonstrating in‑depth expertise in mechanics, motion control, and adjacent disciplines (electrical, physics, algorithms, software).
• Anticipate business and regulatory issues; recommend product, process, or service improvements.
• Solve complex problems impacting the business, requiring conceptual and innovative thinking across the mechanical‑control boundary.
• Direct technical decisions on program, project, or services; work within industry guidelines and functional policies.
• Contribute to system engineering specifications, expanding beyond precision stage/control expertise.
• Develop dynamic models of stage mechanics and integrate them with control design, including active vibration isolation, disturbance rejection, and damping strategies.
• Specify and integrate position feedback and metrology (laser interferometers, encoders, capacitive/optical sensors) with real‑time control hardware (motion controllers, FPGA/DSP, drives, amplifiers).
• Define, tune, and validate multi‑axis servo loops and trajectory/planning profiles to meet positioning and dynamic performance under production conditions.
• Ensure designs meet Market Requirement Specifications (MRS); coordinate with marketing and management on subsystem requirements.
• Chair architecture brainstorming meetings and drive the systems process to finalize stage architecture, including control system architecture and mechanical/control partition.
• Conduct detailed engineering analysis of subsystems: control‑loop stability, bandwidth, error budgeting, modal/structural dynamics, thermal and dynamic error sources.
• Evaluate competing architectures and recommend the best overall system solution.
• Build and qualify prototypes of new stage designs or acquire entire subsystems from outsourced suppliers and test for compliance, including control performance qualification.
• Identify and troubleshoot difficult engineering problems such as servo instability, control‑loop tuning, vibration, and dynamic error sources.
• Partner with electrical, firmware, and software teams on real‑time control implementation, sampling/latency budgets, and controller‑to‑drive integration.
• Support system integration during assembly and final test of new product designs.
• Perform and coordinate tests per internal and industry‑accepted reliability specifications; make design or operational changes as required.
• Support system engineering projects across electrical, mechanical, physics, controls, algorithms, and software design.
• Provide remote and onsite support to field support personnel as needed.
• Technically lead or execute engineering projects, including development of key suppliers.
• Drive successful completion of tool safety standards (SEMI S2/S8/S14, NFPA 79, F47, CE, EMI/EMC) with 3rd‑party evaluators.
• Prepare summary reports for internal and external audiences; present findings and data to technical experts.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Controls with 10–15+ years of experience (MS preferred).
• Demonstrated knowledge of system engineering, control theory, servo/feedback control design, and multi‑axis motion control for high‑precision stages and subsystems.
• Hands‑on experience with mechatronic co‑design: system identification, dynamic modeling, control‑loop tuning, feedforward design, and active vibration isolation/damping for nanometer‑class positioning.
• Familiarity with motion control hardware and real‑time control implementation: motion controllers, FPGA/DSP‑based systems, drives, amplifiers, and position feedback/metrology sensors.
• Mechanical engineering experience in component selection, building, testing, troubleshooting, and releasing semiconductor or similar‑scale capital equipment.
• Knowledge of SEMI S2/S8/S14, NFPA 79, F47, CE, and EMI/EMC safety standards.
• In‑depth knowledge of 3D CAD design tools (e.g., Inventor) and 2D CAD drawing tools (Siemens NX, Unigraphics, AutoCAD).
• Working knowledge of materials and components used in semiconductor wafer manufacturing equipment, materials characterization methods, and failure analysis of materials/systems.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and service organizations through training, documentation, and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in modeling, simulation, and data analysis tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Excel, or equivalents.
• Strong time‑management skills with emphasis on managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; collaborative mindset.
• Energy and desire to thrive in a fast‑paced, start‑up‑like environment.
• Managerial experience is a plus; opportunity for future growth.

Benefits & Compensation

Salary range: $163,000.00 – $224,000.00 (based on experience and grade). Additional compensation may include bonus and stock award programs.

Benefits include comprehensive health and wellness programs, self‑funded mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory mandatory Self must self mandatory mandatory mandatory self ...

Additional Information

• Full time, Assignee / Regular employee.
• Travel: Yes, 20% of the time.
• Relocation eligible: No.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. Contact [e-mail] for accommodation requests only.