Senior Software Engineer, User Experience at Axcelis

JOB DESCRIPTION

Senior Software Engineer, User Experience

Semiconductor Capital Equipment – Axcelis Technologies

Job Summary

Axcelis Technologies is seeking a Senior Software Engineer, User Experience to join our software engineering organization and play a key role in defining the user experience for our ion implanter control platforms. This role is focused on the design and implementation of intuitive, robust, and standards‑compliant user interfaces that support complex operator, engineering, and service workflows across Axcelis tools.

As semiconductor manufacturing systems increase in complexity and precision, control software has become a defining platform capability rather than an implementation detail. This team was formed to proactively evolve control software architecture ahead of those demands, addressing scalability, reliability, and testability challenges that traditional approaches struggle to meet.

As part of this broader, cross‑disciplinary software team, this role ensures that advanced control, automation, and diagnostic capabilities are presented to users through clear, consistent, and human‑centered interfaces. In this position, you will work closely with equipment control, systems, process, and hardware engineers to translate complex machine behavior into effective user experiences that can be safely and efficiently operated in high‑volume manufacturing environments.

The role addresses emerging system‑level challenges that require rethinking traditional equipment UI approaches, including increasing subsystem complexity, higher automation density, and stricter usability and safety expectations. While familiarity with existing UI frameworks and standards is important, the primary focus is on defining forward‑looking UX patterns, design systems, and interface architectures that will scale across future platforms and tool generations.

This role is well‑suited for engineers who:

• Enjoy working close to real hardware and operational workflows
• Prefer early‑stage UX and interaction design problems over incremental UI refinements
• Care deeply about usability, safety, and operator effectiveness
• Want their design decisions to materially shape how complex machines are operated and understood in the real world

Responsibilities

UX Architecture & Design

• Own the user interface design and implementation for ion implanter control software, delivering intuitive, efficient, and SEMI E95‑compliant UIs.
• Define and evolve UX patterns and interaction models that scale across subsystems, workflows, and tool generations.
• Create wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize operator and engineering workflows.
• Contribute to and maintain design systems, UI standards, and styling guidelines to ensure consistency across platforms.

Implementation Across UI Technologies

• Design and implement modern web‑based interfaces for recipe management, subsystem monitoring, diagnostics, and system visualization.
• Develop and maintain desktop UI frameworks (WPF, Avalonia, .NET Core) where web‑based solutions are not optimal.
• Ensure consistent look, feel, and behavior across web‑based and desktop UI technologies.

Hardware‑Integrated Validation

• Prototype, test, and validate UI components on both simulators and real equipment, ensuring robustness in fab environments.
• Collaborate with controls, systems, and process engineers to verify UI behavior under real operational conditions.
• Champion human factors, minimizing operator error, streamlining workflows, and supporting safe operation.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Equipment Control, Systems Engineering, Hardware Engineering, and Process Engineering to translate complex functionality into clear user experiences.
• Participate in requirements discussions, architecture reviews, and design tradeoffs to ensure usability is considered early.
• Influence system architecture to improve observability, diagnosability, and operator interaction models.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Human‑Computer Interaction, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience designing and implementing UIs for complex, safety‑critical, or high‑reliability systems.
• Strong expertise with modern web UI frameworks (Angular, React, Blazor, or equivalent).
• Proficiency with .NET Core and cross‑platform desktop UI frameworks such as WPF and Avalonia.
• Demonstrated ability to gather requirements from cross‑functional stakeholders and deliver production‑quality UIs.
• Solid understanding of UX best practices, responsive design, and design systems.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred / Differentiating Experience

• Experience designing interfaces for semiconductor capital equipment or similar domains (industrial automation, medical devices, aerospace).
• Familiarity with SEMI E95 or similar ergonomics and usability standards.
• Experience with semiconductor tool workflows such as recipe management, diagnostics, automation, and system monitoring.
• Hands‑on experience validating UIs on real hardware, not just simulations.
• Experience working in Agile, cross‑functional development environments.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

It is the policy of Axcelis to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment for all persons free from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, disability status, medical condition (including pregnancy), veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Axcelis will provide reasonable accommodation necessary to enable a disabled candidate or employee to perform the essential functions of the position, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the Company.

U.S. BASE SALARY RANGE

$141,913.76 - $212,870.64

This base salary range reflects the typical compensation for this role across U.S. locations.

Our salary ranges are determined by role and level; individual pay is determined based on

multiple factors, including job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, work

location, and internal equity. The range provides the opportunity for growth and progression as

you develop within the role.

Base pay is one part of our U.S. total compensation package which includes eligibility in the

Axcelis Team Incentive bonus plan, and comprehensive benefits package (for regular

employees working 20+ hours a week).