Systems Engineering Lead

About the job

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Systems Engineer to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the development of advanced optical metrology, and inspection systems. This role combines deep technical expertise with strong people leadership and program execution skills. The successful candidate will drive system architecture, requirements development, technology innovation, and cross-functional integration while building and developing a high-performing engineering team.

The role will oversee architecture definition, prototype development, system integration, validation, manufacturing transfer, and customer deployment. This individual will work closely with Marketing, Product Management, R&D, Operations, OEM vendors, and executive leadership to deliver differentiated products aligned with market needs and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the systems engineering team in defining, developing, and executing complex multidisciplinary projects involving optics, physics, mechanics, electronics, algorithms, and software. • Drive system-level architecture development, requirement breakdown, trade-off analysis, error budgets, and technical decision-making. • Chair architecture reviews and technical brainstorming sessions to evaluate and down-select system concepts. • Translate customer, market, and product requirements into robust system specifications and verification plans. • Lead system integration, optical setup, alignment, calibration, debug, and performance optimization activities. • Define and execute system characterization experiments, performance validation, and design verification testing. • Support New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing transfer, system qualification, and field deployment activities. • Review and guide system engineering analyses, architecture proposals, test results, and design changes. • Effectively allocate resources across multiple programs to balance priorities, schedules, and business needs.

• Ensure project objectives, milestones, risk assessments, resource plans, and execution strategies are established and tracked. • Manage multiple concurrent development programs with responsibility for cost, schedule, technical performance, and quality. • Interface with executive leadership to communicate project status, risks, opportunities, and technology strategy. • Partner with OEM vendors and suppliers to develop and qualify critical subsystems and manage technical escalations. • Ensure compliance with company policies, IP protection, safety requirements, ISO processes, engineering documentation standards, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related technical discipline. • 10+ years of experience in complex optical system development, including optical metrology and inspection systems for semiconductor manufacturing processes. • 3+ years of engineering management or technical leadership experience leading multidisciplinary teams. • Deep expertise in systems engineering processes including requirements management, system architecture, risk analysis, and verification methodologies. • Hands-on experience with optical system integration, alignment, calibration, and troubleshooting. • Strong knowledge of cross-functional engineering disciplines including optics, mechanics, electronics, software, controls, and algorithms. • Experience managing OEM vendors, suppliers, and external development partners. • Strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder-management skills.

Preferred Qualifications • Strong understanding of optical metrology and inspection system performance metrics. • Experience with system qualification, reliability testing, manufacturing transfer, and field deployment. • Knowledge of SEMI standards, ISO processes, safety regulations, and compliance requirements. • Track record of significant technical innovation demonstrated through patents, publications, or industry recognition. • Experience leading technology roadmaps and advanced research programs.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Skills

Certifications:

Languages:

Years of Experience:

10 - 15 Years

Work Experience:

Additional Information

Shift:

10-Day 8-Hr (United States of America)

Travel:

Not Specified

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

Referral Payment Plan:

None

Salary Range:

$176,000.00 - $242,000.00

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.