Job Summary & Responsibilities
This role is intended for a highly experienced systems engineer focused on sustaining semiconductor capital equipment manufacturing operations, supporting technical escalations, improving manufacturability, and driving cross-functional resolution of complex system-level issues.
Position Summary- The Staff Systems Engineer will serve as a senior technical lead supporting manufacturing, sustaining engineering, and new product transition activities for advanced semiconductor capital equipment systems.
- This role is heavily focused on system-level troubleshooting, root cause analysis, manufacturing support, escalation management, and cross-functional coordination between Manufacturing, R&D, Service, Quality, Suppliers, and Operations.
- The ideal candidate combines strong systems engineering fundamentals with hands-on troubleshooting capability across optics, motion systems, controls, software, electronics, and manufacturing processes.
Key Responsibilities- Lead complex technical escalations affecting manufacturing builds, qualification, reliability, and customer readiness.
- Drive systematic root cause analysis (RCA), containment actions, corrective actions, and long-term preventive solutions.
- Provide hands-on support for system integration, subsystem troubleshooting, calibration, and qualification activities.
- Support sustaining engineering activities for released products, including issue trending, failure analysis, and reliability improvements.
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering and NPI teams to improve manufacturability, scalability, and production readiness.
- Work closely with R&D to identify design weaknesses, process gaps, and recurring field/manufacturing issues.
- Support extended factory and contract manufacturer operations by providing technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and process standardization.
- Review engineering changes (ECOs/ECNs) and assess manufacturing impact, risk, validation requirements, and implementation readiness.
- Develop and improve troubleshooting procedures, build documentation, qualification methods, and manufacturing workflows.
- Analyze system performance data, logs, calibration results, and process metrics to identify trends and systemic issues.
- Support pilot builds, engineering builds, beta systems, and production ramp activities.
- Provide mentorship and technical leadership to junior engineers and technicians.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, build quality, uptime, and escalation reduction.
- Interface directly with suppliers and cross-functional teams to resolve technical and quality-related issues.
Technical Scope- Optical metrology systems
- Motion control systems and precision stages
- Spectroscopic ellipsometry and reflectometry systems
- Electro-mechanical assemblies
- Calibration and alignment processes
- System-level troubleshooting and diagnostics
- Manufacturing test systems and automation
- Production qualification and release support
- Failure analysis and data analytics
- Configuration management and change control
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- 10+ years of experience in semiconductor capital equipment, advanced manufacturing systems, or complex electro-mechanical systems.
- Strong hands-on troubleshooting capability at subsystem and system level.
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations, sustaining engineering, or technical escalation management.
- Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and cross-functional integration.
- Experience with structured root cause analysis methodologies.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with semiconductor metrology or inspection equipment.
- Experience with optical systems, motion systems, precision alignment, or calibration processes.
- Knowledge of manufacturing readiness, NPI processes, and pilot line operations.
- Experience supporting contract manufacturers or extended factory operations.
- Familiarity with statistical analysis, process capability, and reliability improvement methodologies.
- Programming or scripting experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar tools is a plus.
- Experience with MES, ERP, PLM, or manufacturing data systems is preferred.
Key Competencies- Technical leadership
- Systems thinking
- Escalation management
- Analytical problem solving
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Data-driven decision making
- Manufacturing mindset
- Continuous improvement
- Ownership and accountability
This position is expected to operate with a high degree of technical independence and ownership while serving as a critical bridge between manufacturing, engineering, and product development organizations.
