Embedded Software Lead, Vacuum Systems • Software Engineering Austin view

About fab2

The fab2 team can build anything. We design all the hardware and software needed to make chips and we make the fabs, tools, and components ourselves. We're looking for exceptional, hands-on people who can iterate to the limits of what's possible.

fab2 was founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. Sam is best known for making chips in his garage, and Jim has been a leader in the semiconductor industry for the past 40 years.

About the Team

The tool software group builds the control software and firmware for fab2's in-house semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The Vacuum Systems software team owns the Linux software and real-time embedded microcontroller firmware for our deposition and etching tools which includes the components they are built from: mass flow controllers, pumps, pressure and gas control, valves, and heaters.

About the Role

The Embedded Software Lead for Vacuum Systems manages the engineers responsible for these systems and owns the software architecture from prototyping through production. You will lead the technical direction and implement real-time control software for deposition and etch tools.

Responsibilities

• Own firmware architecture and roadmap for deposition and etch tools and their components: MFCs, pumps, pressure controllers, valve manifolds, heaters, and gas delivery

• Design and implement real-time control algorithms for temperature regulation, valve sequencing, RF plasma sources, and other semiconductor process equipment

• Write and review production firmware in C and Rust, with Python for tooling and test

• Lead FMEA for firmware and firmware-adjacent failure modes, design interlocks and watchdogs, root-cause field and test failures

• Partner with electronic hardware engineering on board bring-up, schematic review, sensor and driver selection, and design-for-firmware

• Partner with vacuum hardware team on control requirements, actuator characterization, and system integration

• Partner with manufacturing team to enable hardware device testing and calibration

• Build and maintain hardware-in-the-loop and bench test infrastructure for firmware validation

• Uphold code and testing standards through feedback and code review

• Hire and mentor team members

Required Experience

• BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience

• 7+ years developing microcontroller firmware for electromechanical devices in shipped products

• 2+ years leading or managing firmware engineers

• Deep background in real-time controls with experience implementing sensing, timing-critical control loops, diagnostics, and communication interfaces

• Proficiency in C for embedded targets;
  Python for tooling and analysis

• Experience with a real-time operating system and standard MCU interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN)

• Working knowledge of electronics: reading schematics, board bring-up, using scopes and logic analyzers

• FMEA experience for electromechanical devices, with a track record of incorporating results into firmware design

• Demonstrated collaboration with hardware and manufacturing teams through design, integration, and production

Nice-to-have

• Background in semiconductor equipment, vacuum systems, gas handling, or scientific instrumentation

• Experience with mass flow controllers, vacuum pumps, pressure control, or thermal control firmware

• Experience with functional or equipment safety practices (IEC 61508, SEMI S2, or similar)

• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure and continuous integration for firmware

• Experience with Rust on embedded targets

• Experience taking a product from prototype through production

Working at fab2

We're an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and labs/offices in Austin, TX, Lockhart,…