Principal Electrical Engineer

Brooks is a leading provider of automation solutions with over 40 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, offering precision robotics, integrated automation systems, and contamination control solutions that empower chip manufacturers worldwide. Our product portfolio includes a range of automation solutions, including robots, vacuum systems, and atmospheric robots for semiconductor manufacturing (www.brooks.com).  

Are you looking for a place where you can be part of a transformation? Join us at Brooks Automation and be a part of a dynamic organization that is shaping the future of technology.

Principal Electrical Engineer

Job Description

Position Summary

The Principal Electrical Engineer – Power Electronics will lead the design and development of low-cost, high-efficiency coil driver amplifiers for distributed motion control architectures.

This position focuses on current-controlled power electronics systems used to drive large arrays of electromagnetic actuators. The system architecture includes FPGA-based current loop control, PWM generation, and EtherCAT distributed communication networks.

The role will directly contribute to the development of a scalable distributed coil control platform, supporting applications such as levitation systems and next-generation robotic actuation platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Power Electronics Design

• Design and develop coil driver amplifiers using half-bridge and H-bridge topologies
• Support systems operating at DC bus voltages up to 200V
• Optimize for efficiency, cost, and reliability in high-volume applications
• Address observed prototype issues including:
  • PCB reliability and component failures
  • Noise in current feedback loops
  • Interconnect robustness and serviceability

Current Control System Development

• Develop and optimize closed-loop current control systems, including:
  • Precision current sensing (shunt + amplifier)
  • PI/PID control loops
  • Low-latency feedback control
• Ensure stable operation across:
  • Wide variation in coil inductance
  • Large numbers of independently controlled coils

FPGA and Digital Control Integration

• Implement or co-develop:
  • Current loop control algorithms on FPGA platforms
  • High-performance PWM generation
• Interface with multi-channel control architectures using:
  • Parallel or synchronous SPI communication

Distributed System Architecture

• Develop driver modules operating within a distributed EtherCAT control network
• Support scalable architectures capable of controlling:
  • Tens to hundreds of actuators per subsystem
• Collaborate with system teams on partitioning control between:
  • Central controllers and distributed driver nodes

Hardware Development and Validation

• Select and design:
  • MOSFETs, gate drivers, and current sensing circuits
  • Protection and filtering circuitry (snubbers, transient suppression)
• Lead PCB-level implementation including layout guidance for:
  • High-current switching paths
  • Noise-sensitive analog measurement circuits
• Define and execute design verification testing (DVT)

Cost and Reliability Optimization

• Design to meet aggressive cost targets:
• Drive design trade-offs balancing:
  • Performance
  • Manufacturability
  • Scalability
• Improve system KPIs including:
  • Standby power consumption
  • Thermal efficiency
  • Mean time between failures (MTBF)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Minimum 8 years of experience in power electronics design
• Strong expertise in:
  • MOSFET-based power stages (half/full bridge)
  • Medium voltage DC systems (up to ~200V)
• Hands-on experience with:
  • Current sensing techniques (shunt, differential amplifiers)
  • Control loop design (PI/PID)
• Experience designing systems for:
  • EMI/EMC robustness
  • Thermal performance
  • Reliability and failure analysis

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with FPGA-based control systems (e.g., Lattice, Xilinx, Zynq)
• Familiarity with:
  • EtherCAT or distributed real-time control networks
• Experience with:
  • Motor drives (BLDC, SRM)
  • Ele