Senior Controls/Automation Engineer

Company: ASML
Location: San Diego
Posted on: May 7, 2025

Job Description:

Introduction

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ASML US, including its affiliates and subsidiaries, bring together the most creative minds in science and technology to develop lithography machines that are key to producing faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient microchips. We design, develop, integrate, market, and service these advanced machines, which enable our customers - the world's leading chipmakers - to reduce the size and increase the functionality of their microchips, which in turn leads to smaller, more powerful consumer electronics. Our headquarters are in Veldhoven, Netherlands, and we have 18 office locations around the United States including main offices in Chandler, Arizona, San Jose and San Diego, California, Wilton, Connecticut, and Hillsboro, Oregon.

Job Mission

The EUV Source team in San Diego operates in a fast-paced, uniquely innovative and challenging environment to create new-to-industry solutions with rapid productization to support an aggressive commercialization plan for the EUV technology within ASML. The Plasma Controls Department is responsible for the development and engineering of the metrology, automation and control loops for the EUV light source system. The complexity of the EUV source puts exciting and challenging demands on the Plasma Control Engineers who will be engaged in all phases of the control system development and integration involving sophisticated control algorithms, real-time embedded software, high speed electronics, precision sensors, and all working under extremely challenging dynamic conditions to produce stable EUV light.

Duties and Responsibilities

Serve as a technical expert for one or more control/optimization/calibration subsystems, capable of independent decision making for critical technical issues.
Perform feasibility studies, support the development of product roadmaps, advise on future product definition and system specifications.
Monitor integrity of system architecture during development, ensure the availability of Test Specifications, and coordinate or execute the testing process and design verification.
Coordinate or execute the testing process and design verification in lab test bench and cleanroom fabrication environment
Coordinate the specification of system functionalities, and design the system architecture based whilst ensuring commonality between products and subsystems across all programs, support program definition, co-ordinate decomposition and specification of sub systems, and support the review process and approval of designs in co-operation with applicable Product- and Project- Management.
Define, plan, manage and coordinate assigned (portfolio of) projects and ensure execution and delivery, within the project management guidelines.
Ensure and support optimal communication of specifications to all relevant parties to improve the decision processes, and prepare the introduction of approved new projects by defining all technical specifications on system level for Development & Engineering.
Leads and mentors junior controls engineers, leads the development and integration of innovative control system solutions to enable stable and efficient production of EUV.
Organize, coordinate, optimize, lead, coach, develop and appraise employees within the person's expertise / team.
Applies broad knowledge in sensors, actuators, control algorithms, automation, software, and data analysis tools to drive control system improvements to enable continuously increased EUV power and system availability.
Leads and performs integration activates including trouble shooting the control system, designing and executing test plans, to ensure the system functions as designed in the EUV light source. Such activities can take place in lab test bench and manufacturing cleanroom at various ASML sites.
Documents work results with system requirements, design specifications, procedures, and training materials.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Algorithm & Control Specific:

Performs the design, development, and implementation of complex algorithms involving controller design, optimization, system identification, signal processing and stochastic signal analysis for the EUV Source & other equipment used in the semiconductor industry.
Works from broadly defined systems specifications to determine appropriate top-down automation, control system and algorithm architecture.
Generates requirements and design specifications for automation logic and implementation.
Mentors more junior level algorithm engineers through technical guidance and assistance.
Investigates the feasibility of applying scientific and mathematical control design principles and concepts to potential inventions and products.
Plans and executes laboratory research pertaining to algorithm design and validation in lab test bench and/or cleanroom
Designs and builds tools that allow debugging, analysis and performance evaluation of algorithms. Determines the root cause for algorithm failure in products in the manufacturing factory and in fielded units in high-level escalations.

Education and Experience

Bachelors' degree in Controls, Mechanical, Computer, Chemical, Aerospace or Electrical Engineering or Physics; Master's or PhD. preferred.
Relevant Industry Experience
5+ years' experience with a Bachelor's degree.
3+ years' experience with a Master's degree.
1+ years' experience with a PhD.
Specialization in advanced control systems or plasma physics preferred.
Courses in Linear systems, feedback control, optimization, signal processing, estimation and system identification and non-linear systems will be highly regarded.

Skills:

Ability to translate, statistically analyze large amounts of data and effectively report problems through written and/or graphical formats.
Ability to carry a product design from conception into production.
Experience designing and implementing practical feedback control or optimization systems of significant complexity
Knowledge of modern control theory, optimization, stochastics, and some nonlinear control theory
Excellent knowledge of and experience with Matlab and Simulink
Ability to translate, statistically analyze data, and effectively report findings through written and/or graphical formats
Working knowledge of C/C++ and Python desirable
Ability to carry out typical lab activities, such as mount/unmount electrical modules, connecting cables, read LED status and perform simple troubleshooting
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to use MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and electronic e-mail systems

Other Information

This position is located on-site in San Diego, CA. It requires onsite presence to attend in-person work-related events, trainings and meetings and to further ensure teamwork, collaboration and innovation.
A flexible workplace arrangement may be available to employees working in roles conducive to remote work (up to two days a week).
Routinely required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch. Occasionally required to move around the campus.
Occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Must be willing to work in a clean room environment, wearing coveralls, hoods, booties, safety glasses and gloves for entire duration of shift.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee routinely is required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch.

EOE AA M/F/Veteran/Disability

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check band any other tests that may be required.

#LI-MO1

The current base annual salary range for this role is currently:

$132,000-220,000

Pay scales are determined by role, level, location and alignment with market data. Individual pay is determined through interviews and an assessment of several factors that that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and pay relative to other team members.

The Company offers employees and their families, medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to participate in the Company's 401k plan. Employees will also receive eight (8) hours of vacation leave every month and (13) paid holidays throughout the calendar year. For more information, please contact the Recruiter or click on this link Compensation & Benefits in the US.

All new ASML jobs have a minimum application deadline of 10 days.

This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. - 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

Diversity and inclusion

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.

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Request an Accommodation

ASML provides reasonable accommodations to applicants for ASML employment and ASML employees with disabilities. An accommodation is a change in work rules, facilities, or conditions which enable an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of a job, and/or enjoy equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise participate in the employee pre-selection process, please send an email to USHR_Accommodation@asml.com to initiate the company's reasonable accommodation process.

Please note: This email address is solely intended to provide a method for applicants to initiate ASML's process to request accommodation(s). Any recruitment questions should be directed to the designated Talent Acquisition member for the position.

Keywords: ASML, Colton , Senior Controls/Automation Engineer, Engineering , San Diego, California