What are the responsibilities and job description for the Electronics Hardware Engineer position at xLight Inc.?
About the Company
xLight is building the world’s most powerful laser to revolutionize semiconductor lithography, metrology, and for other critical applications. Our approach harnesses the power of free-electron lasers, building on accelerator technology in use globally at scientific user facilities. Extending this technology, we are developing industrial-grade light sources, engineered for continuous operation, to meet the sophisticated demands of next-generation patterning, metrology, and inspection applications. Join us in this new revolution.
About the Role
Working with a highly skilled team of scientists and engineers, you will play a crucial role in advancing autonomous laser operations through the development of high reliability electronic systems. This position offers the opportunity to work on a collaborative project with national and international scientific laboratories, focusing on automated control systems. The ideal candidate will excel in the fast-paced nature of a start-up environment and demonstrate a proactive approach in a collaborative, interdisciplinary team. You will be instrumental in translating research concepts into robust, production-ready hardware solutions that enable continuous, autonomous operation of complex laser systems. This is a full-time appointment based in Palo Alto, California with hybrid options supported.
Responsibilities
- Develop requirements and engineering specification documents for high performance electronic systems.
- Architect and lead the implementation of high-performance electronic systems, including PCB designs, FPGA, and microcontroller applications.
- Where required, engage and manage contractors to execute design work under your guidance.
- Design and implement a precision timing system for controlling advanced diagnostics, instrumentation, and laser systems.
- Develop a machine protection system with microsecond latency taking inputs from both high performance and industrial control systems.
- Integrate beam position monitors and other diagnostics with timing and machine protection systems.
- Lead the development of the required FPGA firmware and control system software to fully integrate all high performance and global controls for the accelerator.
- Lead the effort to prototype, test and validate designs, ensuring designs meet specified requirements. Document design processes, test results, and project specifications to maintain comprehensive project records.
Qualifications
- BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field.
- 5 years of professional experience in hardware engineering with a focus on high-speed signal processing in both the analog and digital domains.
- Extensive experience developing FPGA implementations of digital signal processing algorithms.
- Experience designing high speed serial data transfer links utilizing Xilinx GTX/GTH gigabit transceivers.
- Working knowledge of ADC and DAC implementation.
- Experience with the FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC) standard.
- Software development skills preferably using the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) tools.
What Sets You Apart
- Experience developing high performance systems for a particle accelerator in the national lab environment.
- Experience working with subcontractors to drive schedule and cost.
- Experience reporting progress to all levels of management.
- Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout.
- Development of CI/CD processes.
- PMI Project management Professional Certification (PMP).
US citizenship or permanent residence is required.
Equal Opportunity Statement
xLight Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation. We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.