Software Engineer, Staff- Machine Automation

IPG Photonics•Minneapolis, MN

About The Position

IPG’s Material Processing Systems Group integrates state-of-the-art IPG lasers into turnkey systems for semiconductor, medical, and other industries. The group is seeking a Staff Software Engineer to develop advanced laser-based manufacturing systems. This staff-level technical contributor designs, implements, tests, and supports complex software solutions for IPG laser-processing equipment. The role uses experience in industrial automation, machine control, and software engineering to develop machine capabilities, improve existing platforms, and support customer-driven enhancements. Working within established software architectures, the engineer leads technical execution for complex projects and subsystems, guides design and code reviews, mentors engineers, and collaborates with principal engineers to align implementation approaches and engineering standards. The role also works closely with manufacturing, applications, service, and project teams to support machine builds, system integration, commissioning, and project execution on the production floor. It requires system-level problem-solving and coordination across software, electrical, mechanical, controls, and applications engineering.

Requirements

12+ years of professional software engineering experience.
Demonstrated experience leading technically complex software features, subsystems, or projects and mentoring engineers.
BSCE, BSCS, BSEE, or equivalent; a master’s degree is a plus.
Demonstrated history of solving complex technical challenges in industrial automation, CNC, robotics, or manufacturing systems.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft C#/.NET development.
Experience developing software for industrial automation, CNC, robotics, precision automation equipment, or other complex hardware-integrated systems.
Strong understanding of software architecture, object-oriented design principles, multithreaded systems, and distributed systems.
Demonstrated experience integrating motion control systems, machine vision systems, industrial hardware, or similar machine-control technologies.
Ability to lead technical work while managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Experience with Application Lifecycle Management tools such as Microsoft Azure DevOps and Git.
Ability to make sound technical decisions, communicate tradeoffs, and align implementation details with established architecture and engineering standards.
Strong troubleshooting skills at the overall system level involving software, electrical, and mechanical components.
Strong professional organization, communication, and task-prioritization skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with advanced software testing technologies in .NET.
Experience using a PC to interface with external sensors and control peripheral devices via vendor SDK, serial, or TCP/IP communications.
Experience with web services and APIs, including ASP.NET, JSON, and RESTful interfaces.
Experience developing automated manufacturing equipment, particularly factory-connected systems and Industry 4.0 solutions.
Experience with Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Experience with motion control systems such as Aerotech A3200, Aerotech Automation 1, or ACS.
Experience with machine vision systems such as Dalsa/Sapera/Sherlock, Cognex, or Matrox.

Responsibilities

Analyze machine requirements, customer requests, and engineering specifications to develop software solutions for laser-based material processing systems.
Design, implement, test, and maintain complex software features and subsystems within established machine-control architectures.
Serve as technical lead for assigned projects or subsystems, translate requirements into scalable designs, drive technical decisions, and coordinate engineering work.
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers through design reviews, code reviews, troubleshooting, and technical guidance.
Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, controls, and applications engineers to deliver integrated machine solutions.
Support software integration, testing, validation, and commissioning for assigned areas during machine builds.
Coordinate software deliverables from planning through machine acceptance, communicating technical status, dependencies, and risks.
Diagnose and resolve complex system-level issues involving software, motion control, machine vision, communications, and hardware integration.
Drive software quality through reviews, testing practices, coding standards, and maintainability guidelines.
Evaluate, recommend, and implement improvements to machine architectures, software frameworks, reusable components, and development processes.
Support field service teams and customers with advanced software and machine performance issues.
Participate in customer visits and occasional domestic or international travel to support installations and project execution.