Brooks is a leading provider of automation solutions with over 40 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, offering precision robotics, integrated automation systems, and contamination control solutions that empower chip manufacturers worldwide. Our product portfolio includes a range of automation solutions, including robots, vacuum systems, and atmospheric robots for semiconductor manufacturing ( www.brooks.com ).
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Senior Electrical Engineer
Job Description
The Senior Electrical Engineer – Power Electronics will lead the design and development of low-cost, high-efficiency coil driver amplifiers for distributed motion control architectures.
This position focuses on current-controlled power electronics systems used to drive large arrays of electromagnetic actuators. The system architecture includes FPGA-based current loop control, PWM generation, and EtherCAT distributed communication networks .
The role will directly contribute to the development of a scalable distributed coil control platform , supporting applications such as levitation systems and next-generation robotic actuation platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Power Electronics Design
Design and develop coil driver amplifiers using half-bridge and H-bridge topologies
Support systems operating at DC bus voltages up to 200V
Optimize for efficiency, cost, and reliability in high-volume applications
Address observed prototype issues including: PCB reliability and component failures
Noise in current feedback loops
Interconnect robustness and serviceability
Current Control System Development
Develop and optimize closed-loop current control systems , including: Precision current sensing (shunt + amplifier)
PI/PID control loops
Low-latency feedback control
Ensure stable operation across: Wide variation in coil inductance
Large numbers of independently controlled coils
FPGA and Digital Control Integration
Implement or co-develop: Current loop control algorithms on FPGA platforms
High-performance PWM generation
Interface with multi-channel control architectures using: Parallel or synchronous SPI communication
Distributed System Architecture
Develop driver modules operating within a distributed EtherCAT control network
Support scalable architectures capable of controlling: Tens to hundreds of actuators per subsystem
Collaborate with system teams on partitioning control between: Central controllers and distributed driver nodes
Hardware Development and Validation
Select and design: MOSFETs, gate drivers, and current sensing circuits
Protection and filtering circuitry (snubbers, transient suppression)
Lead PCB-level implementation including layout guidance for: High-current switching paths
Noise-sensitive analog measurement circuits
Define and execute design verification testing (DVT)
Cost and Reliability Optimization
Design to meet aggressive cost targets:
Drive design trade-offs balancing: Performance
Manufacturability
Scalability
Improve system KPIs including: Standby power consumption
Thermal efficiency
Mean time between failures (MTBF)
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
Minimum 8 years of experience in power electronics design
Strong expertise in: MOSFET-based power stages (half/full bridge)
Medium voltage DC systems (up to ~200V)
Hands-on experience with: Current sensing techniques (shunt, differential amplifiers)
Control loop design (PI/PID)
Experience designing systems for: EMI/EMC robustness
Thermal performance
Reliability and failure analysis
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with FPGA-based control systems (e.g., Lattice, Xilinx, Zynq)
Familiarity with: EtherCAT or distributed real-time control networks
Experience with: Motor drives (BLDC, SRM)
Electromagnetic or multi-coil actuator systems
Experience in: High-channel-count control…