Senior Principal Firmware Engineer

Overview

A Senior Principal Firmware Engineer on MKS’s Valves Engineering team will lead the design and development of embedded firmware that powers advanced throttle valve products used in semiconductor manufacturing and other high-performance vacuum applications.

• Leading the architecture, design, implementation, verification and validation of embedded firmware for complex control systems.
• Collaborating closely with cross‑functional teams to understand customer requirements and deliver innovative solutions that enhance product performance and customer success.
• Establishing and driving firmware development best practices, including coding standards, design reviews, and automated test frameworks.
• Providing technical leadership, mentorship and guidance to firmware engineers across the organization.
• Driving continuous improvement in firmware quality, reliability, and development efficiency.

• BS, MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
• 12+ years of experience in embedded systems and firmware development, including control algorithms.
• Demonstrated technical leadership with strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Strong proficiency in C and C++ programming for real‑time embedded systems.
• Expertise in debugging and system bring‑up, using tools such as emulators, oscilloscopes, and communication bus analyzers.
• Experience with version control systems and structured software release processes.

• Experience with industrial fieldbus protocols such as EtherCAT, Device Net, or similar.
• Experience with motion control systems, including stepper motors and BLDC motors.
• Strong understanding of feedback control theory, including PID control and tuning.
• Experience with SPI, I2C, UART and other communication protocols.

Salary Pay Range: $ - $ USD per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position.

Bonus:
This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus.

Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, 6 weeks fully paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement.

MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.