Systems Engineer IV (E4) | Electrical Interconnections and Subsystem Communications

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 worlds technology.

What We Offer

Salary:

$161000.00 - $221000.00

Location:

Santa ClaraCA

Youll 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 possiblewhile 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. Were 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 youll 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. Youll be responsible for analyzing requirements defining system architectures conducting thorough testing and ensuring seamless integration of subsystems. Additionally youll identify and mitigate risks confirming that our systems meet the highest quality standards and exceed customer expectations.

Description

Systems engineer to own the electrical interconnect architecture and subsystem communications for a complex high performance optical system. Contribute in all phases of the product development cycle from customer and system requirements through specification design prototyping verification validation manufacturing install and field support. Requires in-depth technical knowledge of electrical and electro-mechanical systems (cabling power and signal distribution motion imaging and control networks) in a volume manufacturing environment within a data-driven culture. Self-motivated to lead multi-disciplinary team projects to successfully demonstrated results.

Key Responsibilities

Define the system-level electrical interconnect architecture: harness and cable topology connector and pin-out standards power distribution grounding and shielding and routing constraints for optical motion and substrate-handling subsystems.

Derive electrical and communication requirements from customer and system requirements; document them in interface control documents (ICDs) and provide input to electrical software and mechanical design engineers throughout the design process.

Define and own subsystem communication architecture and protocols (for example Ethernet/GigE EtherCAT CAN serial USB and camera/frame-grabber links) including timing synchronization bandwidth and latency budgets between controllers motion axes cameras illumination and sensors.

Use project management skills to lead interconnect and communications subsystem projects. Plan schedule monitor and execute by leading cross-functional teams to meet success criteria.

Develop and maintain error and noise budgets (EMI/EMC signal integrity power integrity timing) and define subsystem-level requirements to be characterized and validated during system alpha testing for current and future products.

Collaborate and communicate with suppliers during design qualification and manufacturing of critical cable assemblies connectors and communication hardware.

Define and execute system test plans for prototype acceptance and qualification of cables harnesses power and communication subsystems.

Design and execute experiments (DOE) to validate error budgets assess and mitigate system performance and reliability risks (intermittent connections noise coupling bus errors thermal and flex-life limits).

Troubleshoot and root cause complex system-level electrical communication and HW/SW integration issues in manufacturing and the field using oscilloscopes protocol analyzers and system logs.

Implement new or improved system diagnostics self-tests and calibrations for communication links and interconnect health; validate through testing.

Support system manufacturing activities and customer site teams to resolve critical issues during install qualification and production use; support failure analysis of field-return modules.

Drive design-for-manufacturing and design-for-service of interconnects: documentation (procedures work instructions BKMs) training and change control.

Mentor junior engineers; write and present technical reports summarizing findings and recommending solutions.

Education

BS MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering Physics or a related field.

7 years of relevant experience with a BS 5 years with an MS or 2 years with a PhD.

Qualifications

Hands-on experience designing building and debugging electrical interconnects and electro-mechanical systems (cable/harness design connectors power distribution grounding and shielding).

Working knowledge of industrial and embedded communication interfaces and protocols (Ethernet EtherCAT CAN RS-232/485 USB camera interfaces) and of timing and trigger signal distribution.

Experience reading and creating electrical schematics wiring diagrams and interface control documents.

Experience with test and measurement equipment (oscilloscopes logic and protocol analyzers DMMs network analyzers).

Experience designing and executing test plans and concept and feasibility studies.

Strong troubleshooting skills including system and subsystem level SW debugging based on error messages and SW logs.

Proficient with data analysis and visualization; strong scripting experience such as Python or Matlab.

Demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines manage multiple projects simultaneously and drive parallel progress.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with EMI/EMC and signal integrity analysis mitigation and compliance testing (SEMI S2 CE).

Experience with semiconductor equipment precision motion systems or imaging platforms; familiarity with SECS/GEM and fab integration.

Experience with EDA or harness design tools (for example EPLAN SolidWorks Electrical or Zuken).

Familiarity with high-speed imaging data paths (high-speed cameras frame grabbers CoaxPress/Camera Link).

SW automation experience and AI tools experience (Claude Code and others) a plus.

Demonstrated ability to drive technical projects with a multi-disciplinary team to completion.

Experience supporting manufacturing and service organizations through training documentation (procedures OMS BKMs etc.) and troubleshooting.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes 20% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

No

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 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 or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 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.