Principal Software Engineer

The Company Halo Industries has invented a technology to replace a decades-old semiconductor material wire saw slicing process that wastes billions of dollars annually in high-value materials. Halo’s laser-based technology eliminates this waste from the silicon carbide (SiC) substrate manufacturing process, delivering improvements in both material cost and performance, while enabling accelerated growth for a diverse set of high-growth application markets, including the electric vehicle, grid infrastructure, industrial HVAC and other high-voltage power electronics sectors. Halo originally spun out of Stanford University in 2014, acquiring a significant series A round of VC funding in 2020 following the successful demonstration of the company’s precision material slicing equipment. Having recently closed on an $80M+ B round of VC funding, Halo is driving the fast-scale growth of the company’s team and manufacturing operations. Halo Industries is well-funded, deeply engaged with multiple strategic customers, and staged to achieve rapid operational, revenue, and valuation growth.

The Opportunity As Halo transitions from R&D to high-volume manufacturing, we are seeking a Principal Machine Control Software Engineer to support the development, integration, and maintenance of equipment control systems for our semiconductor production tools.

This role will focus on hands-on software development and system integration, working closely with cross-functional engineering teams. The engineer will report to a senior member of the machine control team and contribute to building reliable, scalable automation systems.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and lifecycle management of advanced machine control software for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance in high-precision environments.

Architect and oversee implementation of industrial communication frameworks, including SECS/GEM, TCP/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus, Ethernet/IP, and RS232/RS485, establishing robust and extensible interfaces across complex systems.

Drive development of high-performance software solutions in C# (including WPF), defining standards for graphical user interfaces, device communication layers, and real-time system monitoring.

Own the integration strategy for hardware subsystems such as robotics, motion control systems, lasers, and data acquisition devices, ensuring seamless coordination between software and physical components.

Define and guide the development of operator control systems, automation logic, and state machines for sophisticated equipment, emphasizing maintainability, fault tolerance, and operational efficiency.

Lead system-level debugging, testing, and validation efforts, establishing best practices and mentoring engineers in root cause analysis and issue resolution across hardware-software boundaries.

Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams to drive end-to-end system integration, influencing design decisions and resolving complex technical challenges.

Establish and enforce software architecture standards, control methodologies, and safety practices aligned with industry regulations and internal quality benchmarks.

Champion engineering excellence through code reviews, documentation standards, version control strategies, and continuous improvement of development processes.

Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, contributing to strategic planning, technology roadmaps, and innovation initiatives within the organization.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field

20+ years of relevant experience in machine control, automation, or industrial software development

Hands-on experience with industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, TCP/IP, serial interfaces)

Experience developing software in C# for hardware control and UI applications

Experience with Industrial automation hardware

Understanding of motion control concepts, including PID loop control and state machine design

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in semiconductor equipment or similar industrial environments

Exposure to wafer handling robots or semiconductor devices

Strong problem-solving and debugging skills in complex electromechanical systems

Experience in Python

Experience with SECS/GEM and factory automation systems

Experience with machine vision or camera systems

Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Background in mechatronics or automation systems

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

Bonus Plan eligible

Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)

Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Free Food & Snacks

Stock Option Plan

Short Term & Long Term Disability

Base salary $200,000 - $220,000

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all team members feel valued and supported. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities in STEM. If you meet most of the qualifications and are excited about this opportunity, we encourage you to apply.