Semicon Machine Design Engineer

About Syenta 

Syenta is pioneering a new era in semiconductor manufacturing with our groundbreaking Localised Electrochemical Manufacturing (LEM) technology. Our platform enables advanced packaging by combining patterning and metallisation into a single tool. We achieve high-speed, high-resolution metallisation at lower costs and energy use, while minimising emissions and waste. 

Founded in Australia, we are building a world-class team of engineers and scientists tackling some of the toughest challenges in semiconductor manufacturing. Our collaborative, people-first culture empowers individuals to take ownership, innovate, and deliver breakthrough results. 

About the Role 

We are seeking a Semicon Machine Design Engineer to take ownership of designing, building, and commissioning semiconductor capital equipment from concept through to stable production. This role requires end-to-end responsibility: mechanical and mechatronic design, electrical and controls integration, build, commissioning, and handover. It is an equipment design role – not field service, maintenance, or process integration. 

The ideal candidate has personally led the mechanical or mechatronic design of a production semicon tool (or a directly comparable platform in photonics/optics, advanced microfluidics, lithography mask-making, MEMS, vacuum systems, e-beam, or nanoimprint), and has delivered designs that hold sub-micron placement or overlay accuracy in the presence of significant force, thermal load, vibration, or process disturbances.

You will help Syenta scale its manufacturing capabilities by designing high-precision tools that operate reliably in cleanroom environments. 

Responsibilities 

End-to-End Machine Design & Delivery 

• Lead the full machine lifecycle: mechanical structure, mechatronics, motion and metrology systems, electrical/pneumatic systems, controls architecture, and safety systems. 
• Develop and own the machine design specification from requirements capture through FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) and SAT (Site Acceptance Testing). 
• Select and specify precision components across disciplines: motion stages, sensors, actuators, frames, vibration isolation, enclosures, PLCs, HMIs, and vision systems. 
• Make material, finish, lubrication, and outgassing choices appropriate to ISO Class 3 (or better) cleanroom operation, with explicit attention to particle generation, contamination control, and fab integration constraints. 
• Produce complete documentation packages: assembly drawings, electrical schematics, BoMs, maintenance manuals, and operator instructions. 

Build, Commissioning & Handover 

• Manage the build process: internal fabrication, external vendor coordination, system integration, and commissioning. 
• Collaborate with process, yield, reliability, and quality teams to ensure tools meet throughput, yield, and uptime targets. 
• Provide post-deployment support, iterate on performance, and transfer knowledge to operations and maintenance teams. 

Safety & Compliance 

• Ensure machines comply with the SEMI suite of standards and relevant machine safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061, AS 4024). 
• Conduct risk assessments and implement safeguards to maximise operator safety and uptime. 

Requirements 

• 8+ years designing and delivering semiconductor capital equipment (or directly comparable tools — photonics/optics equipment, advanced microfluidics, lithography mask-making, MEMS production, vacuum systems for research labs, e-beam tools, or nanoimprint) end-to-end. Aerospace, scientific instruments, and high-end medical imaging are the closest comparable industries. 
• Personally led mechanical or mechatronic design of a production semicon tool or major sub-system as part of, leading, or architecting the design team. Testing, yield, or reliability engineers with equivalent design exposure will also be considered. Field service and maintenance backgrounds are not a fit. 
• Demonstrated track record designing to sub-micron placement or overlay accuracy on a machine that simultaneously contends with significant force, thermal load, vibration, or process disturbances. 
• Cleanroom-compatible design experience: material, finish, lubrication, and outgassing decisions driven by ISO Class 3 or better. 
• Deep understanding of semicon-specific design constraints: particle generation and contamination, yield, fab integration, environmental factors (humidity, temperature, vibration), operational constraints, safety systems, and materials management. 
• Intimately familiar with the SEMI suite of standards. 
• Familiar with existing semiconductor manufacturing processes — e.g. EUV and other lithography platforms (ASML, Canon, Nikon), nanoimprint lithography (NIL), inspection tools (KLA), electroplating and sputtering, CMP, wafer and reticule/template handling, die bonding, and photomask manufacturing. 
• Direct commissioning and production handover experience; has personally walked machines through FAT, SAT, and into stable operation. 
• Excellent problem-solving, initiative, and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills. 

Preferred Experience 

• Strong mechanical design capability: precision structures, kinematic mounting, mechanisms, pneumatics, tolerancing; proficient in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA, or Fusion 360). 
• Solid electrical and controls integration experience: panel design, motor/drive selection, PLC/HMI programming or close collaboration with controls engineers. 
• Electrical CAD: EPLAN or AutoCAD Electrical 
• PLC/Motion Control: Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley, or equivalent 
• Vision systems: Cognex, Keyence, or equivalent 
• Machine safety calculation tools: SISTEMA or equivalent 
• PDM/PLM: SolidWorks PDM, Vault, or similar 

Why Choose Syenta? 

We’re passionate about building a diverse, people-first company. Our culture of collaboration and mutual respect fuels innovation capable of redefining an industry. At Syenta, you’ll have the opportunity to take ownership, lead high-impact teams, and shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing. 

What We Offer 

• Salary Range: $120k – $150k 
• Early-stage equity opportunities 
• 12% superannuation contributions 
• Flexible leave policies and a strong work-life balance 
• Professional growth in a high-impact, fast-growing deep-tech startup 
• Team events and collaborative culture, including company-wide gatherings in Australia