Systems Engineer III - Early in Career (Gloucester, MA)

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

What We Offer

Salary:

$120,000.00 - $165,000.00

Location:

Gloucester,MA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. 

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. 

As a Systems Engineer, you’ll design, integrate, and optimize complex systems that drive the semiconductor industry forward. Your expertise in systems thinking and problem-solving is essential as you collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop advanced solutions to intricate processes and writing system specifications. You’ll be responsible for analyzing requirements, defining system architectures, conducting thorough testing, and ensuring seamless integration of subsystems. Additionally, you’ll identify and mitigate risks, confirming that our systems meet the highest quality standards and exceed customer expectations.  

Applied Materials' Advanced Products Group is working on one of Applied's top program currently in development to address one of the most significant problems of our leading customers. This new product is a highly automated, complex system involving radio-frequency (RF) driven plasma, high-vacuum chambers/pumps, precise control of gas flows, pressure and temperature, safety interlocks, high-voltage pulsing, and robotics for wafer motion.

The Systems Engineer III supports system and subsystem engineering execution across a multi‑disciplinary platform (mechanical, electrical, controls, software, physics). The role contributes to requirements definition, architecture trade studies, integration, verification/qualification, and system‑level troubleshooting to enable robust product performance and readiness.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Engineering / Requirements / Architecture

• Contribute to the definition and decomposition of system and subsystem requirements, including interfaces, constraints, and verification methods.

• Support subsystem architecture concepting and trade studies; participate in architecture brainstorming and down‑select activities based on performance, cost, schedule, and serviceability.

• Coordinate with cross‑functional stakeholders (engineering, program teams, product partners) to ensure designs meet Market Requirement Specifications (MRS) and product intent.

Integration / Verification / Qualification

• Support system integration during assembly and final test; identify integration issues and drive resolution with the appropriate owners.

• Develop and/or execute test plans for subsystem and system verification; analyze results and recommend design or operational changes as required.

• Support readiness and qualification documentation packages (e.g., install sign‑off verification, tier procedures, qualification summaries) required for internal and/or customer qualification activities.

Root Cause Analysis (RCA) / Data Analysis / Risk & Reliability

• Perform system‑level diagnostics and structured troubleshooting to isolate complex issues across mechanical/electrical/controls/software boundaries.

• Demonstrate structured Root Cause Analysis (RCA) (problem definition, hypothesis testing, validation, corrective actions) and verify effectiveness through data.

• Conduct data‑driven analysis using logs, alarms, sensor signals, test results, and experimental outputs to identify trends/correlations and translate findings into clear technical recommendations.

• Contribute to risk and reliability activities including FMEA/FMECA, maintaining artifacts and ensuring mitigations are validated and documented.

• Troubleshoot difficult engineering problems with attention to serviceability and manufacturability implications.

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Prototypes / Supplier & Subsystem Procurement

• Build and qualify prototypes of new designs or coordinate procurement of outsourced subsystems; test for compliance with specifications and requirements.

• Collaborate with suppliers and internal partners as needed to support technical execution (including part readiness and schedule alignment).

Engineering Change / Documentation

• Support engineering change and release execution (e.g., ECO‑driven updates affecting assemblies and interfaces) and ensure deliverables are installable, testable, and supportable.

• Create and maintain technical documentation supporting installs, tests, and improvements (procedures, test summaries, supporting artifacts).

Field/Onsite Support (as needed)

• Provide remote and/or onsite support to field support personnel for escalations, installs, upgrades, and readiness activities, as required.

Qualifications: 

• Education: Bachelor’s (or Master’s) degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Experience: 2–4 years of relevant industry experience.
• Semiconductor Industry Exposure: Experience working in the semiconductor industry as an intern or full‑time employee.
• Experience designing and/or troubleshooting electro‑mechanical systems (semiconductor equipment experience preferred).
• Demonstrated Root Cause Analysis (RCA) capability using a structured approach (problem definition, hypothesis testing, validation, corrective actions).
• Demonstrated data analysis skills: ability to use experimental/test data and tool data (logs, alarms, sensors) to drive decisions and recommendations.
• Strong cross‑functional communication skills; ability to summarize complex technical findings clearly

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting high‑volume manufacturing (HVM) readiness and/or transitioning engineering solutions into qualification and deployment.

• Familiarity with reliability and problem‑solving tools such as 5‑Why, Fishbone, Fault Tree, FMEA/FMECA, and evidence‑based validation of corrective actions.

• Familiarity with one or more of the following: vacuum systems, gas delivery, RF/plasma subsystems, robotics/wafer handling, safety interlocks, high‑voltage systems.

• Experience creating qualification evidence packages (verification plans, install sign‑offs, tier procedures, structured documentation).

• Experience supporting engineering change execution (ECOs) and producing supportable release documentation.

Travel / Work Requirements

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required to support installs, escalations, and readiness activities.

• Flexibility to support critical integration/test windows, including occasional off‑shift support during key milestones.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 10% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

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. 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.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.