Systems Engineering Lead

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

What We Offer

Salary: $176,000.00 - $242,000.00

Location: Santa Clara,CA

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.

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.

Additional Information

Time Type: Full time

Employee Type: Assignee / Regular

Travel: Not Specified

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 View email address on click.appcast.io, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at View phone number on click.appcast.io, 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.