Senior Precision Stage Architect V - (E5)

Applied Materials • Santa Clara, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to work beyond the cutting-edge, continuously pushing the boundaries of science and engineering to make possible the next generations of technology, join us to Make Possible a Better Future.

Senior Precision Stage Architect Role Summary
Owns the end-to-end architecture of high-precision motion stages and their mechatronic subsystems, spanning mechanical structure, actuation, sensing, metrology, and motion control. Sets the technical direction for stage performance — translating positioning, dynamic, and throughput requirements into a coherent mechanical/control co-design — and serves as the senior technical authority guiding the multidisciplinary team that executes it.

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Controls with 10–15+ years of experience. MS preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of system engineering, control theory, servo/feedback control design, and multi-axis motion control , applied to high-precision motion stages and stage subsystems (chuck, substrate/wafer handling, interferometry, metrology, etc.).
• Hands-on experience with mechatronic co-design — system identification, dynamic modeling, control-loop tuning, feedforward design, and active vibration isolation/damping for nanometer-class positioning.
• Familiarity with motion control hardware and real-time control implementation: motion controllers, FPGA/DSP-based real-time systems, drives, amplifiers, and position feedback/metrology sensors (interferometers, encoders, capacitive sensors).
• Mechanical engineering experience in component selection, building, testing, troubleshooting, and releasing semiconductor or other similar-scale capital equipment.
• Knowledge of SEMI S2/S8/S14, NFPA 79, F47, CE, and EMI/EMC safety standards.
• In-depth knowledge of 3D CAD design tools (e.g., Inventor) and 2D CAD drawing tools, including but not limited to Siemens NX Unigraphics, Inventor, AutoCAD, etc.
• Working knowledge of materials and components used in semiconductor wafer manufacturing equipment, materials characterization methods, and failure analysis of materials/systems.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and service organizations through training, documentation (procedures, OMS, BKMs, etc.), and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in modeling, simulation, and data analysis tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Excel, or equivalent.
• Strong time management skills with an emphasis on managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication and organizational skills and a sense of collaboration.
• Energy and desire to thrive in a start-up-like environment.

Nice To Haves

• Managerial experience a plus, opportunity for future growth.

Responsibilities

• Completes definition and design of complex precision-stage mechanical components, modules, and mechatronic sub-systems, treating mechanics and controls as a co-designed system rather than separate disciplines.
• Defines the control system architecture for precision stages — servo loop topology, loop partitioning, feedforward strategy, sensor/actuator selection, and the mechanical/control trade-offs that govern positioning accuracy, repeatability, and settling time.
• Sets and drives the technical direction for stage controls: establishes the controls roadmap, error budgets, and quantitative performance targets (nanometer-class positioning, dynamic following error, settling time, throughput), and directs the engineers working against them.
• Regarded as the technical expert in precision motion and stage control. Demonstrates in-depth expertise in own discipline (mechanics + motion control) and broad knowledge of adjacent disciplines (electrical, physics, algorithms, software) within the function.
• Anticipates business and regulatory issues; recommends product, process, or service improvements.
• Solves unique and complex problems with broad impact on the business; requires conceptual and innovative thinking to develop solutions across the mechanical–control boundary.
• Impacts the direction and resource allocation for program, project, or services; works within general functional policies and industry guidelines.
• Contributes to the system engineering specification both within precision stage/control expertise and broadening into other disciplines.
• Develops dynamic models of stage mechanics (structural dynamics, resonances, mass/stiffness budgets) and integrates them with control design, including active vibration isolation, disturbance rejection, and damping strategies.
• Specifies and integrates position feedback and metrology (laser interferometers, encoders, capacitive/optical sensors) together with real-time control hardware (motion controllers, FPGA/DSP, drives, amplifiers) and the full sensor-to-actuator signal chain.
• Defines, tunes, and validates multi-axis servo loops, feedforward, and trajectory/motion profiles to meet positioning and dynamic performance under production conditions.
• Ensures designs meet Market Requirement Specifications (MRS).
• Coordinates with project marketing and management to understand subsystem requirements.
• Chairs architecture brainstorming meetings and drives the systems process to down-select to a final stage architecture, including the control system architecture and the mechanical/control partition.
• Conducts detailed engineering analysis of subsystems — control-loop stability and bandwidth analysis, error budgeting, modal/structural dynamics, thermal and dynamic error sources — using deep design knowledge in field of expertise and broadening into other disciplines.
• Assists in creating concepts for architectural design approaches.
• Evaluates competing architectures (mechanical and control) to recommend the best overall system solution.
• Builds and qualifies prototypes of new stage designs, or procures entire subsystems from outsourced suppliers and tests for compliance with detailed specifications, including control performance qualification.
• Identifies and troubleshoots difficult engineering problems — including servo instability, control-loop tuning, vibration, and dynamic error sources — as well as serviceability and manufacturability.
• Partners with electrical, firmware, and software teams on real-time control implementation, sampling/latency budgets, and controller-to-drive integration.
• Supports system integration during assembly and final test of new product designs.
• Performs and coordinates tests per internal and industry-accepted reliability specifications; makes suitable design or operational changes as required.
• Supports system engineering projects with a substantial mix of electrical, mechanical, physics, controls, algorithms, and software design, and understands the underlying system implications.
• Provides remote and onsite support to field support personnel as required.
• Technically leads and/or executes engineering projects, including development of key suppliers.
• Drives successful completion of tool safety standards (SEMI S2/S8/S14, NFPA 79, F47, CE, EMI/EMC) working with 3rd-party evaluators.
• Prepares summary reports for internal and external audiences; presents findings, data, and conclusions to technical experts.

Benefits

• Supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career
• Empowerment to push the boundaries of what is possible
• Learning every day in a supportive leading global company
• Programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth
• Care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go
• Robust total rewards package
• Participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior