Senior Automation Engineer, Optical Packaging - Milpitas, California, United States
$130,000 USD yearly
Originally posted 11 June 2026 by the employer.
About the role
The Senior Automation Engineer, Optical Packaging leads the design, development, and deployment of automation solutions across precision systems. This role enables automated control of high-precision optical alignment systems, including those using nano-positioners.
What you'll do
- Architect and implement automation software for real-time control of precision hardware, including opto-mechanical alignment systems and nano-positioning stages. - Develop algorithms and motion sequences for sub-micron optical alignment, calibration, and measurement routines. - Integrate motion control systems, such as piezoelectric nano-positioners, with cameras, sensors, and software platforms to automate alignment workflows. - Design and maintain scalable automation frameworks for functional testing, system validation, and performance monitoring. - Collaborate with mechanical, optical, and systems engineers to define software interfaces for precision hardware. - Guide junior team members and lead code reviews, architecture discussions, and technical decision-making.
What you'll need
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. - 8+ years of experience in automation software engineering with a focus on motion control or hardware integration. - Programming skills in Python, C++, or C# focused on real-time systems or hardware interfacing. - Hands-on experience working with nano-positioning systems (such as PI, Aerotech, or Newport), motion controllers, or precision actuators. - Deep understanding of control systems, sensor integration, and closed-loop feedback. - Familiarity with optical laboratory instrumentation and high-precision metrology. - Experience developing and integrating software tools for data acquisition, automation (such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, or custom platforms), and visualization.
Nice to have
- Experience with image processing and computer vision, including libraries like OpenCV for vision-guided alignment. - Experience with optical alignment techniques (active/passive), beam steering, or interferometry. - Knowledge of automation frameworks for system-level testing and validation. - Experience with high-vacuum or cleanroom-compatible automation systems. - Experience with Jira for project and task tracking, and Arena PLM.
This role has been open 132 days — well above the 63-day median for Packaging Engineering roles.
Packaging Engineering · Advanced Packaging
|
Open roles in category
303
|
Median days open
63 d
|
Median salary
$167k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, and who else is hiring
| Metric | PsiQuantum | All employers we track in this specialty (303 roles · 58 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 2 | 303 |
| Open roles in the wider Process, Fab & Equipment family | 10 | 10093 · 106 employers |
| Median days open | 154 d | 63 d (+91 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $167k |
Who's hiring in this category
- KLA Corporation · 44 open roles · median 133 d
- Micron Technology · 40 open roles · median 39 d
- Renesas Electronics · 20 open roles · median 43 d
- Intel Corporation · 19 open roles · median 28 d
- GlobalFoundries · 14 open roles · median 65 d
- Lumilens · 13 open roles · median 76 d
How we counted: 303 open Packaging Engineering (Advanced Packaging) roles from 58 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 22 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.