Equipment Automation Program Engineer; Bilingual - Mandarin

Equipment Automation Program Engineer (Bilingual - Mandarin)

The Equipment Automation Program (EAP) Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, implementing, and maintaining host automation software that enables communication between manufacturing equipment and factory systems. This role supports AOI’s optoelectronics manufacturing operations by integrating equipment using SECS/GEM protocols, ensuring reliable data exchange, equipment control, recipe management, and real-time monitoring to improve yield, uptime, and manufacturing efficiency.

• Design, develop, test, and deploy EAP software to support automated manufacturing equipment.
• Develop host applications in C# to interface with production tools.
• Implement scalable architectures to support multiple tool types and vendors.
• Configure and maintain SECS/GEM communication per SEMI standards (e.g., SECS‑I, HSMS, GEM).
• Implement equipment messaging, event reporting, alarms, status variables, and remote command execution.
• Support equipment qualification and acceptance testing with SECS/GEM requirements.
• Integrate manufacturing tools with MES for lot tracking and production control, and with RMS for recipe download, validation, and version control.
• Collaborate with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, IT, and Quality to ensure system interoperability.
• Capture and manage equipment data for production performance monitoring, yield analysis, and equipment health tracking.
• Use SQL databases to store, query, and analyze production and equipment data.
• Diagnose and resolve complex equipment automation, communication, and data integrity issues in a high‑volume environment.
• Provide on‑call or escalation support during production issues related to automation systems.
• Work with equipment vendors to resolve interface or protocol issues.
• Develop and maintain interface control documents, user manuals, and operational procedures.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, quality standards, and audit requirements.
• Support change management and version control practices.
• Identify automation opportunities to improve throughput, reduce manual intervention, and enhance utilization.
• Propose and implement system enhancements aligned with AOI’s manufacturing roadmap.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 3 years of professional C# software development.
• Familiarity with EAP systems, SECS/GEM protocols, SEMI standards, or MES is a plus.
• Mandarin Chinese proficiency is a strong plus for communication with global teams in China and Taiwan.
• Ability to collaborate with global teams across multiple time zones, including meetings outside standard local business hours.
• Familiarity with equipment integration in semiconductor or optoelectronics manufacturing environments is strongly preferred.

This position is on‑site in Sugar Land, Texas.

• Competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans.
• Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals.
• Generous PTO policy with unused PTO payout at year‑end.
• Relocation package available within the U.S.
• Immigration sponsorship (must be authorized to work in the U.S.).

• Seniority level:
  Associate
• Employment type:
  
  Full‑time
• Job function:
  Information Technology and Engineering
• Industries:
  Telecommunications and Semiconductor Manufacturing