Systems Engineer III (E3)
- Job ID
- R2621471
- Date posted
- 06/10/2026
- Location
- Santa Clara, CA
- Category
- Engineering
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:
$138,000.00 - $190,000.00Location:
Santa Clara,CAYou’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.Description
Optical systems engineer to support product development activities of a complex, high performance, optical lithography system with applications in the advanced packaging market. Contribute in all phases of the product development cycle from customer requirements, system specifications, design, prototyping, verification, validation, manufacturing, install and field support. Requires in-depth technical knowledge and experience in working with advanced optical based products in a volume manufacturing environment within a data driven company culture. Self-motivated to lead team projects requiring multi-disciplinary team members to successful demonstrated results.
Key Responsibilities
- Be part of an engineering team to identify the scope, constraints and risks for design, fabrication, testing and volume production of advanced optical components for high performance optical lithography system.
- Use project management skills to lead subsystem and optical assembly projects. Plan, schedule, monitor, and execute projects by leading cross functional teams to meet success criteria.
- Collaborate and communicate with suppliers during design of critical optical sub-assemblies.
- Develop and maintain error budgets and define subsystem level requirements to be characterized and validated during the system alpha testing phase for current and future products.
- Use customer and system requirements to derive design specifications for subsystems, modules, and components and provide input to design engineers throughout the design process.
- Define and execute system test plans for prototype acceptance/qualification test of subsystems, modules, and components.
- Design and execute experiments (DOE) to validate system error budgets, assess and mitigate system performance risks.
- Execute system level experiments for concept and feasibility testing of key roadmap HW & SW features.
- Troubleshoot and root cause complex system level issues in MFG and field.
- Implement new or improved system diagnostics and calibrations. Validate through testing.
- Develop and maintain optical metrology HW and SW to enable automated measurement of key performance metrics of optical assemblies.
- Support system MFG activities and support customer site teams to resolve critical issues during install, qualification, and production use.
- Support escalations pertaining to manufacturing of optical modules and failure analysis of field return modules.
- Write and present technical reports summarizing findings and recommending solutions to technical problems.
Education
- MS or PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, and/or related fields.
- 0 - 7 Years of Experience
Qualifications
- Hands on experience with designing, assembling, calibrating, and using complex opto-mechanical instrumentation or systems that incorporate light sources, optical sensors, lenses, filters, etc.
- Experience with designing and executing test plans and concept and feasibility studies.
- Strong troubleshooting skills.
- Proficient with data analysis and data visualization techniques.
- Strong programming and/or scripting experience such as Matlab, Python, etc.
- Ability to perform system and subsystem level SW debugging based on error messages and SW logs.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others to successfully achieve desired results in timely manner.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and drive parallel progress.
Preferred Qualifications
- Image processing experience a plus.
- SW automation experience a plus.
- Claude code and other AI tools experience a plus.
- Optical modeling and simulation experience a plus.
- Optical metrology development and qualification experience
- Demonstrated ability to drive technical projects with a multi-disciplinary team to completion.
- Experience with debugging software issues that may have HW or SW related root causes.
- Experience with supporting manufacturing and service organizations through training, documentation (procedures, OMS, BKMs, etc.), and troubleshooting.
Additional Information
Time Type:
Full timeEmployee Type:
Assignee / RegularTravel:
Yes, 10% of the TimeRelocation Eligible:
YesThe 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.