Senior Staff Automation Software Engineer (Machine Control)

About the Company

Level: Senior Staff Engineer (Senior Individual Contributor role; no direct reports)

The HGA Process Development team owns early-stage process invention, feasibility, and KPIV understanding to enable future product requirements. The team builds deep, physics-based process knowledge, focusing on identifying critical KPIVs, defining their relationships to KPOVs, and delivering validated, tool-ready concepts. Working closely with HGA/TGA design and product teams, the group ensures alignment to next-generation architectures while influencing process capability and design tradeoffs. Operating upstream of integration and factory organizations, the team emphasizes rapid learning, concept validation, and technical risk reduction. Development is strongly engineering-driven, with focus on process physics, materials behavior, and reliability, supported by analytical tools such as modeling and FEA.

Responsibilities

• Architect and lead software development for advanced HGA process equipment, defining system architecture, frameworks, and interfaces that enable robust and scalable tool operation
• Develop and maintain modular, flexible software architectures and contribute hands-on coding and system implementation for critical components
• Define and implement machine control software, including sequencing, communication layers, user interfaces, and integration with motion, vision, and control systems
• Partner with controls, tool design, and process engineers to ensure software enables precise execution and control of critical KPIVs
• Establish data infrastructure and software frameworks for data acquisition, logging, and analysis to support process development and learning cycles
• Lead integration of vision systems, sensors, and external devices, ensuring reliable communication and synchronization across the tool
• Define software standards, coding practices, and system architecture guidelines to ensure maintainability, scalability, and long-term supportability
• Collaborate with and guide external software development partners while maintaining ownership of overall system architecture and integration
• Support rapid iteration, debugging, and system bring-up, diagnosing and resolving complex multi-system issues
• Collaborate with global engineering teams, including U.S.-based partners, supporting cross-time-zone engagement and periodic evening meetings
• Deliver robust, scalable software platforms enabling downstream teams to replicate, expand, and deploy process capabilities

Qualifications

• Background in software engineering, computer engineering, or automation systems, with experience developing software for equipment or manufacturing systems
• Demonstrated experience in both software architecture and hands-on coding, with ability to design systems and implement key components
• Experience in machine control software, automation platforms, or real-time systems, with exposure to motion control, vision integration, or hardware interfaces
• Familiarity with multi-system integration across mechanical, controls, and electrical domains
• Experience collaborating with or managing external software vendors or development partners is a strong plus
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills in complex, integrated systems
• Good communication skills in English (written and spoken) for effective global and cross-functional collaboration
• Demonstrated technical leadership and initiative while remaining engaged in detailed engineering work

Additional Information

Location: Teparuk, Thailand

Home to over 4,000 employees, our Teparuk site specializes in producing nano-recording heads—a crucial component for the read/write functionality of hard disk drives.

• On-site 24/7 canteen and coffee shop
• Running track and on-site gymnasium/fitness center with sports (volleyball, basketball, table tennis, badminton, football)
• Variety of activities including music, dance, and aerobic classes
• Lush green areas and employee resource groups (SWLN, PRIDE, parents and caregivers)
• On-site festivals, celebrations, and community engagement opportunities