Senior Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Systems Engineer Job Description

The Senior Systems Engineer leads the definition, design, and validation of advanced semiconductor automation equipment, serving as the technical focal point for system-level architecture and integration. This role translates customer and business requirements into robust engineering solutions, coordinating across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing disciplines to deliver complex electromechanical automation platforms. The engineer provides strong technical leadership and mentorship, driving best practices in requirements management, interface definition, verification and validation, and cross-functional collaboration for next-generation semiconductor automation technologies.

• Lead the development of system-level requirements, specifications, interfaces, and verification and validation plans for advanced semiconductor automation equipment.
• Translate customer and business requirements into system-level designs and engineering solutions that meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability objectives.
• Drive system architecture decisions and ensure alignment between hardware, software, and controls disciplines throughout the product lifecycle.
• Coordinate and collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure successful product development and system integration.
• Conduct formal design reviews, risk assessments, and technical evaluations to identify issues early and guide engineering decisions.
• Plan, oversee, and participate in testing activities, including verification and validation efforts, to confirm that systems meet defined requirements and interfaces.
• Support the development of complex electromechanical automation platforms, including gravity feed, turret, and pick-and-place systems.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering team members, influencing project direction and promoting engineering best practices.
• Own and manage system-level requirements and interfaces, ensuring traceability, clarity, and effective communication across cross-functional teams.
• Collaborate closely with controls and motion engineering to ensure seamless interaction between electrical, mechanical, and software components.
• Work onsite within a collaborative engineering environment to support hands-on development, integration, and troubleshooting of automation equipment.
• Communicate technical concepts, trade-offs, and decisions clearly to stakeholders, facilitating alignment and timely project execution.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, tools, and methodologies, including model-based approaches where applicable.

• Extensive experience with automated production equipment or complex automation systems, particularly electromechanical platforms.
• Strong electromechanical systems background with a clear understanding of how electrical, mechanical, and controls components interact.
• Approximately 5+ years of technical leadership experience leading programs, projects, requirements, interfaces, or system-level activities.
• 10+ years of engineering experience, with consideration for 7+ years for highly qualified candidates.
• Demonstrated experience defining system-level requirements, specifications, and interfaces rather than only validating or testing requirements created by others.
• Proficiency in system-level verification and validation processes, including planning, execution, and documentation.
• Experience working across mechanical, electrical, software, and controls engineering disciplines in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• Effective collaboration skills, enabling productive teamwork across multiple engineering domains.
• Proven problem-solving abilities, including root-cause analysis and structured decision-making in complex technical contexts.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience with semiconductor equipment, robotics, automation, motion control, controls engineering, or systems engineering.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
• Experience with requirements management tools such as Jama or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of mechatronics concepts and their application to complex electromechanical systems.
• background in control systems engineering and motion control for automated equipment.
• Ability to mentor and guide less experienced engineers in systems engineering practices and tools.
• Comfort with conducting design reviews, risk assessments, and structured technical discussions.
• Capability to influence system architecture and interface decisions to optimize performance and reliability.

The role is based onsite in a collaborative engineering environment focused on developing next-generation semiconductor automation technologies. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineers on complex electromechanical platforms such as gravity feed, turret, and pick-and-place systems. The environment emphasizes hands-on interaction with automated production equipment, system integration, and testing, supported by modern engineering tools and requirements management platforms. The culture values cross-functional teamwork, technical excellence, and continuous improvement in systems engineering practices.

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

The pay range for this position is $113000.00 - $170000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Competitive compensation package401(k) with company matchAnnual profit-sharing programCareer growth and development opportunitiesComprehensive benefits package for employees and their families

This is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.