Industrial Motion Control Engineer
Location: Palo Alto (Hybrid)
About xLight
xLight is building the world's most powerful laser to revolutionize semiconductor lithography, metrology, and other critical applications. Our approach is to harness the power of free-electron lasers by building on accelerator technology currently used at scientific facilities around the world. In 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!
At xLight, we hire exceptional talent and exceptional means more than a strong résumé. How we achieve results is just as important as the results themselves, which is why attitude and character matter as much as technical skill. We believe great talent is widely distributed and not confined to a particular school or background. We seek individuals who demonstrate ownership, a spirit of collaboration, technical curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn and grow - guided by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Creativity, and Engineering Excellence. We don't just hire what someone can do today; we hire for who they are and who they are becoming.
What We Need — and Why It Matters
We're hiring an Industrial Motion Control Engineer to design, build, and maintain the controls infrastructure behind our laser and accelerator subsystems. You'll work hands-on with Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs and precision motion systems — servo and stepper axes, stages, and actuators — that have to perform reliably in a demanding, safety-critical R&D and Production environment. This is a great fit for someone who came up through motion control, mechatronics, robotics, or mechanical engineering and wants to apply that background to real hardware with real consequences, not just simulations.
What You'll Do
- Design, program, and commission motion control systems — servo drives, stepper stages, and precision actuators — using Beckhoff TwinCAT PLCs.
- Develop and maintain machine protection interlocks and other mission-critical controls infrastructure for laser and accelerator subsystems.
- Write system specifications, design documents, test procedures, and commissioning plans that translate stakeholder needs into working controls.
- Integrate motion and PLC systems with supervisory software, operator interfaces, instrumentation, and facility infrastructure.
- Diagnose issues in operating control systems, perform root-cause analysis, and drive reliability and maintainability improvements.
- Produce and maintain engineering documentation — functional specs, architecture diagrams, wiring/interface documentation, and operating procedures.
- Support controls upgrades, new hardware bring-up, and modernization efforts as the platform scales from prototype to first-article manufacturing.
- Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, optical, and physics engineers to deliver integrated, field-ready controls solutions.
What We Are Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, robotics, or a related field, plus 3–5 years of hands-on experience with industrial motion control or PLC-based systems.
- Working experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT (or comparable industrial PLC platforms) and IEC 61131-3 programming, especially Structured Text.
- Direct experience selecting, tuning, and troubleshooting servo and/or stepper motion systems — stages, actuators, and multi-axis motion.
- Familiarity with industrial fieldbus and networking technologies such as EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, or Ethernet/IP.
- Solid grounding in electrical fundamentals — you can read and mark up schematics, wiring diagrams, and signal/instrumentation drawings.
- A track record of troubleshooting systems that span hardware, software, instrumentation, and controls — you're comfortable in the lab, not just at a desk.
- Experience with version control (Git) and basic software configuration management practices.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to work effectively across a small, multidisciplinary engineering team.
And If You Bring This — Even Better
- Experience with EPICS or other supervisory/SCADA systems used in scientific or accelerator facilities.
- Background in robotics programming (e.g., industrial robot arms) or machine vision integration.
- Programming experience in Python or C++, and comfort working in Linux/bash environments.
- Exposure to national-lab, accelerator, or large-scale scientific instrumentation environments.
- Familiarity with industrial safety standards such as IEC 61511/ISA-84, UL 508, or OSHA requirements.
What You Can Expect from Us
- 100% Company-funded health insurance for employee
- Company funded Life Insurance and disability insurance
- 401k contribution. 100% up to 3% of compensation, plus 50% match between 3% and 5%. Immediately vested.
- Flexible Paid Time-Off, Sick leave and Company Holidays
- Company Paid Two-weeks Winter Break
- Flexible Hybrid Work Model
Pay transparency
The pay range for this position reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries at commencement of employment and is expected to be between USD 115,000/year-160,000/year. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including location, role, job-related knowledge, skills, relevant education and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including equity, and a full range of benefits. Details of all benefits will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
EEO 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.
