Senior Machine Control Software Systems Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION

SW Application Development Engineer - Instrumentation and Controls

Axcelis Technologies develops innovative capital equipment for the semiconductor industry, and in particular, for the Ion Implantation step in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. Our Ion Implanter software ranges from low level device control of robotics and other physical components through generic framework middleware, infrastructure and data management to either an end user GUI or the integration of the equipment into the customer’s host systems via the SEMI standards.

This complex, distributed software is written in C/C++/C#/Java/HTML and uses MS Windows and VxWorks operating systems.

This role is for a creative, self-motivated software engineer to develop instrumentation and machine control software for Axcelis implanters including the areas of Facilities monitoring and interlocking, Gas Controls, Vacuum Control, and Ion Beam Generation and tuning. 

Responsibilities:

• Develop production quality real-time machine control SW applications
• Develop software solutions in C programming language
• Follow defined process for SW development cycle including project scoping, requirements generation, design, review, implementation and unit/integration testing
• Interface with and internal/external customers for requirement generation
• Interface with  Product Teams, mechanical, electrical, system and other software engineers for requirements
• Work closely with Product Team including software & hardware engineers, process engineers scientists and marketing to develop requirements and design definition for software features
• Provide SW Support for internal R&D prototype development and test
• Work with Product Support to investigate and resolve field reported issues on released products
• Work with Software Quality Group to test on both Implanter Hardware and on Product simulator 
• Develop major and minor enhancements as well as bug fixes for new product development
• Work closely with other software engineers on design collaboration to meet requirements of new features while ensuring the maintainability of the software code.
• Develop applications primarily in C/C++
• Work both individually and as a member of cross functional teams

Requirements:

• Experience developing controls for complex electro-mechanical hardware components with distributed IO systems, multi-tiered /multi-platform control architecture required and the ability understand the hardware and physical system being controlled
• Strong C/C++ programming skills
• Experience developing real-time multi-tasked control using a Real Time Operating System (RTOS) such as Windriver VxWorks OS
• Experience in area of real-time machine control and instrumentation device interfaces (sensors, actuators, motors, encoders, IO systems) required
• 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 types of physical systems
• Experience with implementation and application of signal processing methods such as peak detection, noise filtering, and linear/non-linear control loop compensation for response optimization
• Experience with embedded systems development required
• Understanding of implications of HW/SW partitioning as related to system performance and reliability required
• A team-player attitude and strong written and verbal communication skills are a must
• Ability to work in Clean Room environment.

• Operating Systems: VxWorks, MS Windows XP/7
• SW 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 CS or related Engineering degree with experience in software development for electro-mechanical systems. MS or PhD in area of real-time system development desirable  

Experience 

• Minimum 8-10 years experience in developing, documenting, and testing of software for Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment or similar complex electro-mechanical equipment. 

Experience with the following, a plus:

• 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
• Systems experience in Ion beam generation and control
• Systems experience in Plasma physics

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.

Our salary ranges are determined by role and level; individual pay is determined based on

multiple factors, including job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, work

location, and internal equity. The range provides the opportunity for growth and progression as

you develop within the role.

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 package (for regular

employees working 20+ hours a week).