Senior Software Engineer

Brooks Automation US LLC; Chelmsford (MA); Hybrid; USD 118,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan

Flexible vacation

Job summary

Brooks Automation is driving innovation in automation for the semiconductor industry, delivering advanced robotics, vacuum systems, and automated solutions. We seek a Senior Software Engineer to own controller architectures and integrate hardware/software across BSPs, FPGA, and embedded subsystems.

You will design real-time software in C++ for complex systems and mentor others in Agile teams. The role requires deep RTOS experience, Ethernet/IO networks, and strong debugging across hardware and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience developing embedded software for real-time systems.
• Expert proficiency in C++11/14/17 and OO design.
• Architect large subsystems spanning software, BSP, FPGA, and hardware interfaces.
• Strong understanding of design patterns, scalability, maintainability, and diagnosability.
• Deep expertise with QNX, RTOS environments, and real-time scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Technical owner for controller architecture and hardware/software integration.
• Lead development of robot motion performance and control algorithms.
• Define robot motion architecture and optimize cycle time, accuracy, robustness.
• Define distributed control architectures and resolve complex synchronization or performance issues.
• Develop diagnostic and predictive service capabilities using data analytics.

Skills

C++23

Embedded systems

RTOS

Architecture design

Agile development

Tools

QNX

RTOS (VxWorks/RT Linux)

FPGA integration

Device drivers

HAL design

Job description

Brooks is a leading provider of automation solutions with over 40 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, offering precision robotics, integrated automation systems, and contamination control solutions that empower chip manufacturers worldwide. Our product portfolio includes a range of automation solutions, including robots, vacuum systems, and atmospheric robots for semiconductor manufacturing (www.brooks.com). Are you looking for a place where you can be part of a transformation? Join us at Brooks Automation and be a part of a dynamic organization that is shaping the future of technology.

Senior Software Engineer Job Description

Required Qualifications

Embedded Systems Architecture

• Extensive experience developing embedded software for complex real-time systems.
• Expert proficiency in C++11/14/17 and object-oriented software architecture.
• Demonstrated ability to architect, design, and implement large software subsystems spanning application software, BSP, FPGA, hardware interfaces, and distributed controls.
• Strong understanding of software design patterns, scalability, maintainability, and diagnosability.

Real-Time Operating Systems

• Deep expertise with QNX, Real-Time Linux, or equivalent RTOS environments.
• Advanced knowledge of multithreaded and concurrent software design, interrupt-driven systems, real-time scheduling, memory management, DMA, IPC mechanisms, device driver architecture, and system performance optimization.

Hardware / Software Integration

• Significant experience debugging complex issues spanning software, FPGA, electronics, amplifiers, sensors, communication networks, and mechanical systems.
• Experience with BSP development, board bring-up, HAL design, device drivers, FPGA integration, and low-level hardware interfaces.
• Ability to independently analyze and resolve difficult system-level failures encountered during development, manufacturing, or customer deployment.

Software Engineering Excellence

• Demonstrated technical leadership within Agile development environments.
• Experience defining software architecture, coding standards, testing strategies, and development workflows.
• Proficiency using source control, CI/CD, automated testing, remote debugging, and release management processes.
• Ability to lead design reviews and provide technical mentorship to other engineers.

2. Technical Specialization Requirement

• BSP / RTOS architecture
• Motion control systems
• Robotics algorithms
• EtherCAT distributed controls
• Industrial data analytics / AI

3. Technical Specialization Details

BSP / QNX / FPGA Specialist

• BSP customization and board bring-up.
• Device driver development.
• Bootloader architecture.
• FPGA/software interfaces.
• Interrupt latency analysis.
• DMA optimization.
• ARM SoC architecture, such as Zynq.

Expected Contribution: Technical owner for controller architecture and hardware/software integration.

Motion Control Specialist

• Servo system architecture.
• Current, velocity, and position control loops.
• Feedforward and compensation techniques.
• Control theory and dynamic system modeling.
• Performance tuning and system optimization.

Expected Contribution: Lead development of next-generation robot motion performance and control algorithms.

Robotics Specialist

• Robot kinematics and inverse kinematics.
• Dynamics and rigid body modeling.
• Trajectory generation and optimization.
• Multi-axis coordination.
• Motion planning algorithms.

Expected Contribution: Define robot motion architecture and optimize cycle time, accuracy, and robustness.

EtherCAT Distributed Controls Specialist

• EtherCAT architecture and real-time networking.
• Distributed clocks.
• PDO configuration and optimization.
• Deterministic motion synchronization.
• EtherCAT diagnostics and troubleshooting.

Expected Contribution: Define distributed control architectures and resolve complex synchronization or performance issues.

Data Analytics / Industry 4.0 / AI Specialist

• Telemetry and diagnostic system design.
• Time-series analysis and fleet monitoring.
• Machine learning applications for predictive maintenance.
• Statistical analysis and reliability modeling.
• Edge analytics and intelligent diagnostics.

Expected Contribution: Develop next-generation diagnostic and predictive service capabilities.

4. Additional Qualifications

• Experience working directly with customers to investigate and resolve critical field issues.
• Experience leading technical root-cause investigations involving cross-functional teams.
• Ability to translate customer requirements into technical solutions and architectural decisions.
• Proven record of mentoring and developing less-experienced engineers.

Compensation

Base Salary Range: $118,265.18 USD to $160,005.83 USD Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus.

Benefits

Benefits At Brooks, we offer the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Disability Insurance 401(k) Plan Exempt employees are provided company paid holidays and Flexible Vacation to enjoy personal time off and incidental sickness.

Work Location & Flexibility

At Brooks, we aim to foster a collaborative and engaging environment while offering flexibility where possible. Work arrangements may include a mix of in-office and remote work, depending on the nature of the role and business needs. Specific expectations will be shared during the interview process.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Brooks is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and proudly serves as an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics. Diversity enhances our innovative capabilities and strengthens our ability to serve our customers and communities effectively.

For applicants with disabilities requiring accommodations, don't hesitate to get in touch with [e-mail] or call [phone] to discuss your needs.

Review EEO Law & EEO Statement.

Brooks Automation participates in E-Verify® to confirm eligibility for employment in the United States. For more details, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Since our founding in 1978, Brooks Automation has been a leading automation provider and trusted partner to the global manufacturing industry. Our customers choose the Brooks Automation platform because we consistently deliver best-in-class reliability and cost of ownership, with a solution that is optimized for value within their application. We deliver value through our understanding of the application challenge, providing solutions at scale that create an automated advantage for our customers. This benefits our customers with improved throughput and yield and a lower cost of ownership.