Automation Software Engineer (Machine Control) - Livermore, CA, United States
$136,200 - $178,815 USD yearly
Originally posted 28 April 2026 by the employer.
About the role
The Automation Software Engineer will be responsible for the design and development of control software applications for high precision manufacturing machines, supporting automation initiatives.
What you'll do
- Design and implement robust machine control software for automated sorting, assembly, and inspection machines. - Plan, design, develop, and test software systems or applications for software enhancements and new products, including cloud-based or internet-related tools. - Work closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to create reliable solutions tailored for high-volume manufacturing. - Integrate automation machines with MES software and process flows. - Participate in all phases of the Software Development Life Cycle, including unit testing and release. - Create technical design and user-level documentation for development projects.
What you'll need
- Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 6 years with a Master’s degree, a PhD with 3 years of experience, or equivalent experience. - Proven experience in designing and hands-on development of large multi-threaded/multi-tasking software systems and multi-process environments. - Proficiency in C# and C++ programming, debugging, and Object-Oriented Design (OOD) / Object-Oriented Programming (OOP). - Experience programming for motion control and data acquisition systems. - Experience with computer vision and image processing. - Experience with Windows and Unix development environments.
Nice to have
- Experience with Cognex VisionPro and machine learning.
Skills: machine control, control software applications, automated sorting, assembly, inspection machines, factory automation
This role has been open 205 days — well above the 55-day median for Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering roles.
Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering · Manufacturing Equipment
|
Open roles in category
2482
|
Median days open
55 d
|
Median salary
$99k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | FormFactor | All employers we track in this specialty (2482 roles · 78 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 54 | 2482 |
| Open roles in the wider Process, Fab & Equipment family | 114 | 10037 · 107 employers |
| Median days open | 39 d | 55 d (−16 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $99k |
Skills observed across this category: machine control, control software applications, automated sorting, assembly, inspection machines, factory automation
Who's hiring in this category
- Micron Technology · 365 open roles · median 81 d
- Applied Materials · 259 open roles · median 40 d
- Entegris · 217 open roles · median 45 d
- Lam Research · 110 open roles · median 68 d
- Infineon Technologies · 99 open roles · median 48 d
- ASML · 66 open roles · median 50 d
How we counted: 2482 open Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering (Manufacturing Equipment) roles from 78 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 26 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Process, Fab & Equipment family row. Figures refresh nightly.