Staff Controls Engineer

Introduction to the job

As the world’s leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer, ASML enables chipmakers to produce cheaper, speedier chips – and to produce them faster – thereby enabling all the technology you use today. The systems we produce integrate several large and sophisticated machines, themselves each a feat of engineering innovation, precision, and speed.

In the CLS division in San Diego, we design and manufacture Deep Ultraviolet (DUV) lasers, used directly in the chipmaking process. Far from a basic “consumer” laser, these machines are complex, powerful, and flexible. The lasers we make require: durable and high-speed precise motion-controlled optics to maintain wavelength to femtometer accuracy under high laser powers; advanced materials to endure the harsh Fluorine-rich environments and high powers; clever mechanical designs to allow high performance and fit all the parts within a confined space, but still allow easy manufacturing and servicing; very fast high power electronics and electrical designs to deliver short high voltage pulses at precise timing to control pulse energy within hundredths of a percent; gas flows at hurricane speeds to keep the laser discharge area clear; cutting edge controllers and algorithms to deliver stable and consistent performance and automate all operations; and advanced real-time electronics, firmware and software to control the laser and interact with other equipment. The laser needs to minimize use of expensive or rare resources like energy or Neon gas. It needs to actively control temperatures, pressures, gas concentrations and voltages precisely to maintain good performance. It must react instantly to changing customer demands and environmental conditions. And it needs to do all of this, operating continuously and reliably for months while producing billions of perfect light pulses, without any human intervention or downtime.

Solving these challenges requires expertise in system engineering, optics, physics, controls, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, test engineering, embedded software and firmware, manufacturing, industrialization, and more. If you like extreme challenges, and passion for technology and innovation, and want to help bring the next generation of technology to the world, then come join ASML.

Role and responsibilities

The Cymer Light Source team in San Diego operates in a fast-paced, innovative, and challenging environment to develop DUV lasers and support technologies to enable both current and future lithography generations. Our technological solutions deliver both new-to-industry products and important enhancements that improve performance and reliability and reduce costs. The projects are characterized by rapid productization to support an aggressive deployment plan for the DUV technology within ASML.  The Algorithms Team is responsible for the development and engineering of the control loops and automation for the laser system.  The DUV source is complex, dynamic, high-precision, and powerful; it demands the control engineers on the Algorithms Team to engage in the design and development of sophisticated feedback controllers, algorithms, signal processing, and data analysis.

• Serve as a technical expert for one or more control subsystems or features, capable of independent decision making for critical technical issues. 
• Applies broad knowledge in sensors, actuators, control algorithms, automation, software, signal processing, and data analysis methods and tools to drive control system improvements to enable improved laser light properties and higher system availability.
• Leads the development and integration of innovative control system solutions to enable stable, efficient, and reliable production of DUV light.
• Leads the design and building of tools that allow debugging, analysis, and evaluation of control system performance.  Leads the root cause analysis for control system failures in products for integration and fielded units during escalations.
• Performs integration activities including troubleshooting the control system, designing and executing test plans and test automation, to ensure the algorithms functions as designed.
• Documents work results with requirements, design specifications, procedures, and training materials.
• Mentors junior engineers.

Education and experience

• Requires minimum of a Master’s degree in Engineering or Physics.
• A PhD with specialization in control systems and 5+ years of industry experience is strongly preferred.

Skills

• Linear systems, feedback control, discrete-time control, signal processing, filtering and estimation, system identification, and non-linear systems postgraduate courses and experience will be highly regarded.
• Good Matlab skills and experience.
• Experience designing practical discrete-time