Algorithm & Machine Control Scientist

Job Description

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

The evolution of Halo’s technology and equipment, growing from an R&D focus to a production manufacturing environment, has triggered the need for an Algorithm and Machine Control Scientist who can contribute to the design, development, and deployment of the company’s production line equipment control and automation strategy.

Job Description

● Contribute to an advanced Python machine control framework

● Develop and maintain software applications for equipment communication and integration into factory systems

● Write high level device drivers for robotics, motion control, lasers, and data acquisition

● Integrate custom and off-the-shelf device drivers into reliable, robust operator controllable state machines

● Develop multiple graphical user interfaces tailored for R&D and operations purposes

● Perform thorough testing and debugging from the system level down to the component level

● Maintain thorough documentation and version control

● Work closely with mechanical, electrical, system, and NPI engineers

Requirements

Preferred Education & Experience

● Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science or a related technical field with 3+ years of applicable experience

● Candidates with advanced degrees may qualify for a given position with fewer years of experience.

What We’re Looking For

● Command of basic concepts and advanced features of Python

● Knowledge of best practices for implementing high-reliability production line instrument control systems

● Experience with different hardware communication protocols (e.g. Modbus, TCP/IP, Serial, ASCII, USB)

● Working knowledge of servos, motors, sensors, actuators, I/O devices, and relays

● Experience with source control (preferably Git)

● Product and process development experience leading to an ability to understand the desired system behaviors

● Outstanding detail-oriented analytical, creative, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically to diagnose issues and optimize complex processes

● Ability to work self-sufficiently with minimal oversight

● Excellent communication skills and the ability to lead and work effectively within an interdisciplinary team

● Desire to play a ground-floor leadership role in a high-growth environment

Bonus

● Experience with C#, WPF and .NET

● Graphical User Interfaces with Qt

● Experience using asynchronous I/O for concurrency

● Semiconductor manufacturing experience

● Expertise in mechatronics/automation design (motor sizing, actuator design, sensor selection, etc.)

● Past startup experience and insights/lessons learned on effectively scaling from R&D to production

Benefits

Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)

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: $110,000-$130,000

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.

Full-time