Platform Engineer (f/m/d)

About us

We see the semiconductor industry as a realm of possibility. We see opportunity. We see the profound impact that our graphene solutions will have in transforming the industry. We invite you to join us in driving change with our fundamentally human-centered approach, uniting bright minds around a shared vision. The vision is: Prove to everybody that you can make a fundamental change. Prove with your knowledge and skills how things can be done differently. Together, we can change the paradigm of how the world connects.

About our technology

The semiconductor industry’s growing demand for more powerful chips with higher bandwidth and lower power finds its solution in our technology. We connect chips to high-throughput, low-delay computing networks. The key lies in harnessing the physical properties of graphene to combine electronic computing with photonic communication, allowing countless chips to interact almost as if they were one. Our graphene photonic innovation increases computing power and efficiency to a new order of magnitude.

In short, we connect chips to create powerful and energy-efficient networks, overcoming connectivity limitations in the semiconductor industry. We deliver the graphene solution.

The Role

Black Semiconductor is looking for a highly skilled Platform Engineer (f/m/d) to join our Fab Automation and Integration team in Aachen, Germany. In this role, you will lead the lifecycle management of Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) and Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) platforms across Kubernetes clusters. You will be responsible for the architecture, deployment, tuning, and operational reliability of these mission-critical systems in a 24/7 manufacturing environment. You will also define and enforce best practices for automation, security, and documentation while helping transition ownership from external vendors to internal team.

Your Responsibilities

• Lead the lifecycle management (architecture, deployment, and tuning) of Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) / Automated Material Handling System (AMHS) systems across Kubernetes clusters (EKS, AKS, GKE).
• Design and maintain advanced CI/CD pipelines and Ansible automation to achieve a "hands-off" operational state.
• Own the performance and scaling of mission-critical production databases, specifically ClickHouse, MS SQL, etc.
• Architect and enforce Zero Trust security, IAM, and secrets management with KMS within the OT/manufacturing network.
• Act as the primary technical lead for transitioning ownership from external vendors to internal teams, establishing the "Gold Standard" for documentation and operational procedures.

Your Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience managing distributed, high-uptime systems in 24/7 manufacturing or mission-critical environments, preferably within the semiconductor industry or related sectors.
• Excellent ability to debug complex, distributed systems and a "systems-thinking" approach to root cause analysis.
• Deep technical knowledge of Kubernetes internals, container security, and service mesh orchestration.
• Experience managing high-performance databases, especially ClickHouse or similar analytical databases.
• Direct experience with MES, Equipment Integration (EI), AMHS, EDA, or fab environments is highly preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in English; proficiency in German is a strong plus.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related engineering field.

Tools, Technologies & Systems

• Kubernetes Ecosystem: Kubernetes, Helm, container security, cluster upgrades.
• Infrastructure & Databases: Windows/Linux, VMware, MS SQL Server, ClickHouse, MariaDB.
• IAM & Security: IAM, KMS, Secrets Manager, GuardDuty, Security Hub, Zero Trust architecture.
• Automation & CI/CD: Ansible, Bash, PowerShell, CI/CD pipelines.
• Monitoring & Observability: Prometheus, Grafana, or similar tools.
• Cloud & Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes, Azure, or AWS.

Our work culture

People Over Processes. At Black Semiconductor, flexibility is key—we ensure work adapts to life, not the other way around. We champion work-life harmony, where careers are meaningful and enriching. Our processes are human-centric, allowing you to focus on what matters.

Let’s grow together. Your potential is our priority. We provide the autonomy to make a lasting impact and nurture your growth through a culture of continuous learning. We invest in your journey for professional and personal development.

Your Health and Future Matter. Your well-being is paramount. We offer a comprehensive benefits package with outstanding insurance, pension and virtual stock options for your mental, physical, and financial health. Your peace of mind is our priority— in the present and future.

We Live Openness. Collaboration and inclusivity are the cornerstones of our culture. We practice openness, fostering trust and respect. Individuality is our collective strength, fueling innovation and driving us forward.

We connect chips – and people. We encourage qualified individuals from any background to apply. We foster an inclusive and supportive work environment that values collaboration, innovation, and growth. Join our team and be part of an organization dedicated to making a difference in the industry.

Can you picture yourself in this Role and our Company? Let’s connect.