Senior Machine Control Software Systems Engineer

Axcelis Technologies; Beverly (MA); On-site; USD 139,464 - 209,197; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Performance-based incentive plan

Job summary

A leading semiconductor technology firm in Beverly is seeking an experienced software engineer to design and implement machine control software for wafer handling systems. The ideal candidate has 8–10 years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, strong C/C++ programming skills, and a deep understanding of electrical systems. The position includes both onsite and hybrid work options. Comprehensive benefits and incentive plans are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience developing software for semiconductor equipment.
• Experience with complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test machine control software.
• Operate the wafer handling portion of an ion implantation system.
• Work closely with engineering disciplines.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Electrical systems understanding

Communication protocols

Embedded systems experience

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Hands-on lab experience

Real-time control knowledge

Education

BS in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering

MS or PhD in real-time system development

Tools

Embedded software architectures

WindRiver Workbench

MS Visual Studio

Rational Team Concert

Coverity

Job description

Job Description

Fully onsite in Beverly. Hybrid is acceptable if it’s 80% on-site (4 days per week) and 20% remote (1 day per week).

Position Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and test machine control software to control new wafer handling features and make changes to existing wafer handling control methods.
• Learn and fully understand present wafer handling hardware and robot operations.
• Learn and fully understand new wafer handling hardware in order to write software to control the hardware.
• Modify machine control software to add new functionality, meet new requirements, improve present operation, and optimize present operation.
• Operate the wafer handling portion of an ion implantation system to develop and test new software and hardware controls.
• Write subsystem verification and test routines.
• Work closely with mechanical, hardware, validation/reliability and manufacturing engineering disciplines.

Position Requirements

• A minimum of a BS in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering and 1–5 years of experience.
• Experience writing software to control electrical/mechanical systems with excellent software skills.
• Knowledgeable in computer networking architectures, topologies, and hardware and communication protocols such as TCP/IP, RS232, RS485, and USB.
• Experience with embedded hardware/software architecture.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, strong attention to detail, and willingness to learn new technologies quickly.
• Good understanding of electrical/mechanical systems and hands‑on lab experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in the semiconductor industry or similar; ion implantation tools a huge plus.
• Experience with Delta Tau PMAC controllers or other motion controllers a plus.
• Experience or training with robots, motors, actuators, and servo systems a plus.
• Knowledge/experience with real‑time control a plus.
• Knowledge/experience with hardware such as FPGA, PCB, etc. a plus.

Technical Requirements

• Experience developing controls for complex electro‑mechanical hardware components with distributed I/O systems and multi‑tiered/multi‑platform control architecture.
• Strong C/C++ programming skills.
• Experience developing real‑time multi‑tasked control using a real‑time operating system such as WindRiver VxWorks.
• Experience in real‑time machine control and instrumentation device interfaces (sensors, actuators, motors, encoders, I/O systems).
• Solid experience with high‑speed real‑time data acquisition, manipulation, and transfer.
• Solid mathematical skills and basic understanding of control theory as applied to motion and other physical systems.
• Practical experience implementing single and multivariate closed‑loop control for various physical systems.
• Experience with signal processing methods such as peak detection, noise filtering, and linear/non‑linear control loop compensation for response optimization.
• Experience with embedded systems development.
• Understanding of hardware/software partitioning implications on system performance and reliability.
• Team‑player attitude with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a clean‑room environment.
• Operating systems: VxWorks, MS Windows XP/7.
• Software languages: C/C++; use of Python and MATLAB a plus.
• IDEs: WindRiver Workbench, MS Visual Studio.
• Software configuration management tools: Rational Team Concert.
• Code analysis: Coverity.

Education

Minimum BS in CS or related engineering; MS or PhD in real‑time system development desirable.

Experience

Minimum 8–10 years of experience developing, documenting, and testing software for semiconductor manufacturing equipment or similarly complex electro‑mechanical equipment.

Additional Desired Experience

• Systems experience in ion beam generation and control.
• Systems experience in plasma physics.
• Vacuum system hardware and control: pumps, gauges, valves.
• RF and microwave generators.
• MKS Macro node (or other) Modbus controllers.
• Ethernet, TCP/IP, and RS-232 communication interfaces.

Equal Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Axcelis to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment for all persons free from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, disability status, medical condition (including pregnancy), veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Axcelis will provide reasonable accommodation necessary to enable a disabled candidate or employee to perform the essential functions of the position, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the Company.

U.S. Base Salary Range

$139,464.80 – $209,197.20.

This base salary range reflects the typical compensation for this role across U.S. locations.

Base pay is one part of our U.S. total compensation package which includes eligibility in the Axcelis Team Incentive bonus plan and comprehensive benefits for regular employees working 20+ hours a week.