Principal SW Engineer
Cohu, Inc.28 days ago
San Diego, CA, USAStaff+
Base Salary
$150k - $204k/yr
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, test, integrate, deploy, and sustain machine-control software using C++ and C# in a Visual Studio environment.
- Develop scalable object-oriented automation software, architectures, interfaces, design patterns, state-machine logic, and event-driven systems.
- Integrate motion controllers, I/O systems, machine vision, robotics, sensors, barcode readers, and other industrial devices through Windows APIs, SDKs, and communication libraries.
- Lead customer escalation troubleshooting through logs, instrumentation, on-equipment debugging, root-cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.
- Partner with manufacturing, field service, and cross-functional engineering teams to resolve production and installed-base issues and restore uptime.
- Build simulation, automated system testing, regression testing, verification, packaging, and release processes that improve failure detection and reliability.
- Mentor engineers through code reviews, design feedback, and technical coaching.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer engineering, software engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field.
- 15+ years of professional software engineering experience, including substantial work in automation, machine control, or complex electro-mechanical systems.
- Expert C/C++ skills with object-oriented design, design patterns, and maintainable, testable, production-quality coding practices.
- Strong Windows desktop application development experience using Visual Studio and familiarity with C# for tooling, diagnostics, or user interfaces.
- Experience with multithreaded and event-driven software, external hardware integration, Windows APIs, SDKs, and communication libraries.
- Experience with version control and collaborative development workflows, preferably Git, including code reviews and branching strategies.
- Experience troubleshooting field issues, performing root-cause analysis, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.
- Relevant experience in semiconductor equipment, test handlers, ATE integration, factory or industrial automation, robotics, medical devices, or comparable electro-mechanical product engineering.
- Knowledge of hardware/software integration, MCU/SoC peripherals, serial buses, timing and latency, operator or service tools, equipment communication standards, simulation or hardware abstraction, scripting, data analysis, issue tracking, and machine safety concepts is beneficial.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present designs and status to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) with company matching contributions.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
- Tuition assistance.
- Disability and life insurance.
- Profit sharing.
- Approximately 10% domestic and international travel may be required, with occasional work in manufacturing areas or at customer sites.
- The role may involve extended periods at a computer workstation.