Principal Systems Engineer, Platform Robotics & Vacuum Architecture

Axcelis Technologies•Beverly, MA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Axcelis Technologies is hiring a Principal Systems Engineer to serve as the system-level technical owner for robotics, wafer handling, and vacuum-platform architecture across existing and next-generation semiconductor equipment. Based at the company’s headquarters in Beverly, Massachusetts, this hands-on role contributes to the architecture of next-generation semiconductor capital equipment, turning concepts into production solutions. The engineer will translate product and customer needs into system requirements and architecture; lead cross-disciplinary trade studies; and drive integration and verification across mechanical, electrical, controls, software, safety, and vacuum subsystems. The role supports new product introduction from concept through verification, production readiness, initial field introduction, and transfer to volume manufacturing, while establishing reusable platform requirements and design rules across Purion product lines. The position also includes guiding supplier technical decisions and mentoring engineers in systems thinking and verification strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Systems Engineering, or a related discipline.
At least 7 years developing complex electromechanical equipment, or an advanced degree plus at least 5 years of experience.
Hands-on experience in at least one of the following: semiconductor or vacuum-process equipment; industrial robotics or precision wafer/material handling; or complex motion-control or factory-automation systems.
Experience translating product needs into system architecture, requirements, interfaces, and verification.
Demonstrated integration and troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and sensor systems.
Experience leading technical trade studies and design reviews.
Strong experimental, data-analysis, and technical-communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of vacuum pumps, valves, gauges, conductance, pressure transients, leak checking, and vacuum-control sequences.
SCARA or articulated robot integration experience.
Experience with servo systems, trajectory generation, vibration, kinematics, and motion characterization.
Experience with EtherCAT, PLCs, embedded or real-time controls, or industrial networks.
Experience using LabView, Python, and/or MATLAB for data analysis and test automation.
Semiconductor equipment and wafer-handling experience.
Experience with reliability analysis, FMEA, fault trees, DOE, and system verification.
Creo or equivalent 3D CAD literacy.
SEMl S2 and relevant equipment-safety experience.

Responsibilities

Own platform architecture for wafer handling, robotics, vacuum, chamber interfaces, and equipment automation.
Convert product needs and use cases into requirements, interface definitions, performance budgets, and verification plans.
Lead architecture trade studies considering throughput, wafer safety, particle performance, reliability, serviceability, cost, and platform reuse.
Lead system integration and root-cause investigations on real hardware.
Define and execute subsystem- and system-level characterization, including motion accuracy, repeatability, vibration, vacuum recovery, fault handling, and wafer-transfer robustness.
Partner with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, process, reliability, manufacturing, and field engineering teams.
Guide supplier technical decisions involving robots, load ports, valves, pumps, gauges, motion components, sensors, and controls.
Support new product introduction from concept through verification, production readiness, initial field introduction, and transfer to volume manufacturing.
Establish reusable platform requirements and design rules across Purion product lines.
Mentor engineers in systems thinking, interface management, technical trade studies, and verification strategy.