{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"256f68cda9d0ee672eb3ca84","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/256f68cda9d0ee672eb3ca84","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/256f68cda9d0ee672eb3ca84","title":"Embedded Software Lead, Vacuum Systems","description":"About fab2\n\nThe 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.\n\nWe're looking for exceptional, hands-on people who can iterate to the limits of what's possible.\n\nfab2 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.\n\nAbout the Team\n\nThe 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.\n\nAbout the Role\n\nThe 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.\n\nResponsibilities\n\nOwn firmware architecture and roadmap for deposition and etch tools and their components: MFCs, pumps, pressure controllers, valve manifolds, heaters, and gas delivery\n\nDesign and implement real-time control algorithms for temperature regulation, valve sequencing, RF plasma sources, and other semiconductor process equipment\n\nWrite and review production firmware in C and Rust, with Python for tooling and test\n\nLead FMEA for firmware and firmware-adjacent failure modes, design interlocks and watchdogs, root-cause field and test failures\n\nPartner with electronic hardware engineering on board bring-up, schematic review, sensor and driver selection, and design-for-firmware\n\nPartner with vacuum hardware team on control requirements, actuator characterization, and system integration\n\nPartner with manufacturing team to enable hardware device testing and calibration\n\nBuild and maintain hardware-in-the-loop and bench test infrastructure for firmware validation\n\nUphold code and testing standards through feedback and code review\n\nHire and mentor team members\n\nRequired Experience\n\nBS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience\n\n7+ years developing microcontroller firmware for electromechanical devices in shipped products\n\n2+ years leading or managing firmware engineers\n\nDeep background in real-time controls with experience implementing sensing, timing-critical control loops, diagnostics, and communication interfaces\n\nProficiency in C for embedded targets; Python for tooling and analysis\n\nExperience with a real-time operating system and standard MCU interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN)\n\nWorking knowledge of electronics: reading schematics, board bring-up, using scopes and logic analyzers\n\nFMEA experience for electromechanical devices, with a track record of incorporating results into firmware design\n\nDemonstrated collaboration with hardware and manufacturing teams through design, integration, and production\n\nNice-to-have\n\nBackground in semiconductor equipment, vacuum systems, gas handling, or scientific instrumentation\n\nExperience with mass flow controllers, vacuum pumps, pressure control, or thermal control firmware\n\nExperience with functional or equipment safety practices (IEC 61508, SEMI S2, or similar)\n\nExperience with hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure and continuous integration for firmware\n\nExperience with Rust on embedded targets\n\nExperience taking a product from prototype through production\n\nWorking at fab2\n\nWe’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and labs/offices in Austin, TX, Lockhart, TX, and San Francisco, CA.\n\nBenefits: fab2 offers the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:\n\nMedical, Dental, and Vision insurance\n\nGenerous Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time\n\nVisa Sponsorship\n\nLife and Disability Insurance\n\nPaid Parental Leave\n\n401(k) retirement plan\n\nWeekly Learning & Development opportunities\n\nCommuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office\n\nLunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts\n\nWe are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.\n\nExport Control Analysis: This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.\n\nfab2, formerly known as Atomic Semi","company":"Fab2","rawCompany":"fab2","city":"Austin","state":"TX","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-09-09T11:36:26.108Z","occupations":[{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"},{"code":"15-1252.00","title":"Software Developers","slug":"software-developers"},{"code":"17-2199.06","title":"Microsystems Engineers","slug":"microsystems-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"513210","title":"Software Publishers","slug":"software-publishers"},{"code":"541511","title":"Custom Computer Programming Services","slug":"custom-computer-programming-services"},{"code":"334513","title":"Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables","slug":"instruments-and-related-products-manufacturing-for-measuring-displaying-and-controlling-industrial-process-variables"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Embedded Software Lead, Vacuum Systems","description":"About fab2\n\nThe 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.\n\nWe're looking for exceptional, hands-on people who can iterate to the limits of what's possible.\n\nfab2 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.\n\nAbout the Team\n\nThe 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.\n\nAbout the Role\n\nThe 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.\n\nResponsibilities\n\nOwn firmware architecture and roadmap for deposition and etch tools and their components: MFCs, pumps, pressure controllers, valve manifolds, heaters, and gas delivery\n\nDesign and implement real-time control algorithms for temperature regulation, valve sequencing, RF plasma sources, and other semiconductor process equipment\n\nWrite and review production firmware in C and Rust, with Python for tooling and test\n\nLead FMEA for firmware and firmware-adjacent failure modes, design interlocks and watchdogs, root-cause field and test failures\n\nPartner with electronic hardware engineering on board bring-up, schematic review, sensor and driver selection, and design-for-firmware\n\nPartner with vacuum hardware team on control requirements, actuator characterization, and system integration\n\nPartner with manufacturing team to enable hardware device testing and calibration\n\nBuild and maintain hardware-in-the-loop and bench test infrastructure for firmware validation\n\nUphold code and testing standards through feedback and code review\n\nHire and mentor team members\n\nRequired Experience\n\nBS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience\n\n7+ years developing microcontroller firmware for electromechanical devices in shipped products\n\n2+ years leading or managing firmware engineers\n\nDeep background in real-time controls with experience implementing sensing, timing-critical control loops, diagnostics, and communication interfaces\n\nProficiency in C for embedded targets; Python for tooling and analysis\n\nExperience with a real-time operating system and standard MCU interfaces (SPI, I2C, UART, CAN)\n\nWorking knowledge of electronics: reading schematics, board bring-up, using scopes and logic analyzers\n\nFMEA experience for electromechanical devices, with a track record of incorporating results into firmware design\n\nDemonstrated collaboration with hardware and manufacturing teams through design, integration, and production\n\nNice-to-have\n\nBackground in semiconductor equipment, vacuum systems, gas handling, or scientific instrumentation\n\nExperience with mass flow controllers, vacuum pumps, pressure control, or thermal control firmware\n\nExperience with functional or equipment safety practices (IEC 61508, SEMI S2, or similar)\n\nExperience with hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure and continuous integration for firmware\n\nExperience with Rust on embedded targets\n\nExperience taking a product from prototype through production\n\nWorking at fab2\n\nWe’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and labs/offices in Austin, TX, Lockhart, TX, and San Francisco, CA.\n\nBenefits: fab2 offers the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:\n\nMedical, Dental, and Vision insurance\n\nGenerous Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time\n\nVisa Sponsorship\n\nLife and Disability Insurance\n\nPaid Parental Leave\n\n401(k) retirement plan\n\nWeekly Learning & Development opportunities\n\nCommuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office\n\nLunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts\n\nWe are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.\n\nExport Control Analysis: This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.\n\nfab2, formerly known as Atomic Semi","datePosted":"2026-09-09T11:36:26.108Z","dateModified":"2026-09-09T11:36:26.108Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Fab2","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Austin","addressRegion":"TX","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"256f68cda9d0ee672eb3ca84"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/256f68cda9d0ee672eb3ca84"}}