Embedded Software Lead, Vacuum Systems - Austin, United States

Originally posted 8 September 2026 by the employer — open 9 days.

About the role

This role leads the Embedded Software team responsible for the software architecture and technical direction of real-time control software for deposition and etch tools. This includes Linux software and real-time embedded microcontroller firmware for mass flow controllers, pumps, pressure and gas control, valves, and heaters within vacuum systems.

What you'll do

• Own firmware architecture and roadmap for deposition and etch tools and their components.
• Design and implement real-time control algorithms for temperature regulation, valve sequencing, and RF plasma sources.
• Write and review production firmware in C and Rust, with Python for tooling and test.
• Lead FMEA for firmware, design interlocks and watchdogs, and root-cause field and test failures.
• Partner with electronic hardware engineering on board bring-up, schematic review, sensor and driver selection, and design-for-firmware.
• Build and maintain hardware-in-the-loop and bench test infrastructure for firmware validation.

What you'll need

• BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• 7+ years developing microcontroller firmware for electromechanical devices in shipped products.
• 2+ years leading or managing firmware engineers.
• Deep background in real-time controls with experience implementing sensing, timing-critical control loops, diagnostics, and communication interfaces.
• Proficiency in C for embedded targets; Python for tooling and analysis.
• Experience with a real-time operating system and standard MCU interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN).
• Working knowledge of electronics: reading schematics, board bring-up, using scopes and logic analyzers.
• FMEA experience for electromechanical devices, with a track record of incorporating results into firmware design.

Nice to have

• Background in semiconductor equipment, vacuum systems, gas handling, or scientific instrumentation.
• Experience with mass flow controllers, vacuum pumps, pressure control, or thermal control firmware.
• Experience with functional or equipment safety practices (IEC 61508, SEMI S2, or similar).
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure and continuous integration for firmware.
• Experience with Rust on embedded targets.
• Experience taking a product from prototype through production.

Skills: microcontroller firmware, real-time control algorithms, deposition and etch tools, C and Rust, board bring-up, vacuum systems