Equipment Integration Engineer

Job Purpose

The Equipment Integration (EI) Engineer is responsible for the configuration, deployment, and end-to-end testing of factory automation systems. Main roles are on mapping equipment communication, executing application testing, and providing high-level technical support to ensure seamless data flow between manufacturing tools and enterprise systems via standard protocols and APIs.

Key Responsibilities

• Application Configuration & Mapping: Configure and set up existing Equipment Integration (EI) and station controller software to link shop-floor production tools with the Manufacturing Execution System (MES).

• Protocol & Connectivity Support: Troubleshoot and fine-tune SECS/GEM (SEMI standards) communication links between equipment and the host server. Ensure proper variables, events, and reports are correctly mapped.

• API Integration Testing: Execute and validate API calls (SOAP/Message Broker) within the integration layer to ensure smooth telemetry data transfer, system handshakes, and proper messaging routing.

• Rigorous Application Testing: Define, design, and execute comprehensive application testing scenarios. This includes integration testing, regression testing, and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) before deploying configuration updates to the live production floor.

• Production Support & Incident Management: Provide Tier-2 application support. Actively monitor system health, investigate communication drops, diagnose automation interlock failures, and resolve technical issues to minimize tool downtime.

• Vendor & Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with equipment vendors and external software suppliers to resolve underlying application bugs, and work with internal Operations and Equipment teams to facilitate smooth tool hook-ups.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.

• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of working experience in factory automation support, CIM engineering, or equipment integration testing within the semiconductor or electronics manufacturing industry.

• Technical Skills:

o Strong working knowledge of SECS/GEM communication protocols and testing/simulation tools (e.g., FastSIM, GEMTester or OpenSim Advance).

o Practical understanding of system integration infrastructure, including handling and verifying API calls (JSON/XML).

o Hands-on experience with application testing methodologies, writing test cases, and analyzing log files for root cause analysis.

o Familiarity with database querying (SQL) to track, audit, and troubleshoot transaction logs.

• Soft Skills: Exceptional troubleshooting and diagnostics skills, with a strong background in a fast-paced manufacturing support environment.