CalTek is a national staffing agency specializing in the recruitment of PLC Programmers for companies that serve the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing industries.
Our client is a leader in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, specializing in high-performance mixed-signal integrated circuits (ICs) that power the world’s most advanced automotive, industrial, mobile, and communication infrastructure systems. Their technology enables innovation across automotive infotainment, IoT devices, 5G and wireless communications, smart mobility, and secure embedded systems.
As a PLC Programmer / Automation Engineer, you’ll join a high-tech production environment where precision, reliability, and scalability are mission-critical. The company’s state-of-the-art wafer fabrication, assembly, and test operations rely on advanced automation, robotics, and industrial control systems that you’ll help design, program, and optimize.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Design, develop, program, and maintain PLC logic, HMI interfaces, and SCADA systems to automate semiconductor fabrication and electronics assembly processes.
- Troubleshoot, debug, and optimize Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, and Mitsubishi PLC platforms for high-throughput manufacturing systems.
- Integrate control systems with robotic material handling, pick-and-place equipment, wafer processing tools, and automated test equipment (ATE).
- Collaborate with controls engineers, electrical design engineers, and process engineers to improve equipment uptime, cycle time, and yield performance.
- Develop and implement Industrial Ethernet and Fieldbus communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP, and DeviceNet.
- Perform control system validation, I/O mapping, and signal traceability within cleanroom and ISO 14644-1 environments.
- Create and maintain detailed PLC program documentation, P&ID schematics, wiring diagrams, and functional specifications using AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN.
- Support continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives by identifying automation upgrades and control system standardization opportunities.
- Interface with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) and ERP platforms to ensure seamless data transfer and process traceability.
- Ensure compliance with industry safety and quality standards, including IEC 61131-3, NFPA 79, SEMI S2, ISO 9001, and ISO/TS 16949.
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or Computer Engineering (Master’s preferred).
- Equivalent experience in automation engineering or semiconductor manufacturing may be considered.
Required Skills and Experience
- 7+ years of hands-on experience in PLC programming, industrial automation, and control system integration within semiconductor, electronics, or precision manufacturing environments.
- Proficiency with major PLC platforms and software, including:
- Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley (RSLogix 5000, Studio 5000, ControlLogix, CompactLogix)
- Siemens TIA Portal / Step 7
- Beckhoff TwinCAT, Mitsubishi GX Works, or Omron CX-Programmer
- Expertise in HMI/SCADA software such as FactoryTalk View, Ignition (Inductive Automation), WinCC, Wonderware, or Citect SCADA.
- Strong background in ladder logic, structured text (ST), function block diagrams (FBD), and sequential function charts (SFC) per IEC 61131-3.
- Ability to integrate automation hardware such as VFDs, servo drives, industrial sensors, vision systems, and robot controllers (Fanuc, Yaskawa, ABB).
- Experience with Ethernet/IP, Profinet, OPC UA, MQTT, and Modbus communication protocols.
- Familiarity with semiconductor process tools, vacuum systems, ion implanters, photolithography, or cleanroom automation.
- Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills using oscilloscopes, multimeters, and logic analyzers.
- Proven ability to manage PLC code version control, change management, and configuration documentation.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Fab automation, AMHS (Automated Material Handling Systems), or robotic wafer transport systems.
- Working knowledge of Python, C#, Visual Basic, or SQL for equipment interface and data collection scripting.
- Exposure to Industry 4.0 / Smart Factory technologies, including IoT edge devices, OPC UA, digital twins, and predictive maintenance systems.
- Familiarity with safety systems (SIL/PL standards per IEC 61508 / ISO 13849) and machine safety integration.
- Experience supporting UL, CE, and RoHS compliance for control panels and automation equipment.
- Project management experience with Agile, Six Sigma, or Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
