Automation / Controls Engineer

Introduction to the job

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 600W Department is responsible for the development, integration and support of the 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.

Role and responsibilities

As an Automation/Controls Engineer you will:

• Lead and perform integration activities including designing and executing test plans, troubleshooting the control system, 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.

• Provide technical ownership for one or more control, optimization, or calibration subsystems, applying relevant expertise to troubleshoot systems and control loops, establish containment actions, determine root cause, and independently address critical technical issues.

• Facilitate clear communication of technical issues and development activities across Integration, Customer Support, and other relevant teams, serving as a central point of contact and information resource for engineers.

• Monitor and report system and plasma submodule performance, identify performance gaps, and define solutions or improvements to enhance system stability, availability, and efficiency.

• Plan, coordinate, and execute subsystem- and system-level integration activities for automation and control functions, qualification, design verification and regression testing in laboratory test bench and cleanroom fabrication environments.

• Analyze test results using time-series data, equipment logs, diagnostic signals, statistical methods, and engineering analysis tools to determine whether control functions meet performance, stability, availability, and diagnostic requirements.

• Prepare clear test summaries and qualification reports documenting test configuration, execution results, identified gaps, technical conclusions, risks, and recommended next actions.

• 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.

• Documents work results with system requirements, design specifications, procedures, and training materials.

• Travel to customer sites to provide onsite support, including hands-on upgrade and troubleshooting in cleanroom fabrication facilities.

• May require travel international dependent on business needs (up to 20%).

• Occasional afternoon, evening, or weekend shift work may be required based on testing and support schedules.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Algorithms and Controls Specific

• Contributes to development, simulation, implementation, and tuning 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 on broadly defined system- and subsystem- level specifications to determine appropriate top-down automation, control system, algorithm architecture and performance criteria.

• Develop and maintain traceable requirements, interface definitions, and design specifications for automation logic and control algorithms implementation.

• Translate system requirements, field observations, and known failure modes into structured test objectives, test cases, acceptance and verification plan for control-system releases and corrective actions.

• Designs and builds tools that allow debugging, analysis and performance evaluation of algorithms. Determines the root cause for algorithm failure, ensuring correct interfaces, timing behavior, diagnostics in products in the manufacturing factory and field installed units in high-level escalations.

• Mentors junior level algorithm engineers in controls fundamentals, algorithm development, structured troubleshooting, test design 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 control algorithm design and validation in lab test bench and/or cleanroom

Education and experience

• Possess a Bachelors’ degree in Controls, Mechanical, Computer, Chemical, Aerospace or Electrical Engineering or Physics.

• Master's degree is highly regarded.

• At least 2 years of relevant experience.

• 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.

• Experience with data visualization tools (ex. Databricks, Grafana, Spotfire)

• Knowledge of modern control theory, optimization, stochastics, and some nonlinear control theory.

• Excellent knowledge of and experience with Matlab and Simulink

• 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.

#LI-MO1

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

$115,200-158,400

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.

Inclusion and diversity

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 inclusion and diversity 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.