Electrical Engineer III

Cohu, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) with company matching

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition assistance

Disability & life insurance

Profit Sharing

Job summary

Cohu, Inc. in San Diego, CA seeks an Electrical Engineer III to lead the electrical design of advanced semiconductor automation equipment, focusing on industrial electrical systems, machine-level integration, and safety standards.

The role requires 5+ years in complex industrial electrical design, knowledge of NFPA 79 and SEMI S2, and hands-on leadership to drive projects from concept to production; some travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or MS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years designing complex industrial electrical systems; 8 years preferred.
• Experience with SEMI S2/NFPA79 certification assessments.
• Familiarity with electrical CAD tools a must (Altium preferred).

Responsibilities

• Own electrical design of machine level and submodules, guiding execution, building, and troubleshooting.
• Translate high‑level machine architecture into detailed panel and wiring requirements.
• Develop project plans and schedules, including tasks for the wire engineers and tracking progress.
• Provide technical leadership to wire engineers, reviewing cables, schematics, I/O maps, timing diagrams for accuracy.
• Understand system-level operation of modules (motors, encoders, sensors, I/O, safety interlocks) and own electrical requirements.
• Support field installations and technical escalations.
• Perform electrical engineering design including panel layout and wire routing with proper noise segregation.

Skills

Electrical design leadership

Industrial electrical systems

Project coordination

Electrical safety standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree or MS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Altium

DraftSight 2D

AutoCAD Electrical

EPLAN

Job description

Cohu is a global technology leader providing test, automation, inspection, and metrology solutions to the semiconductor industry. We are seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer III to lead the electrical design of advanced semiconductor automation equipment. This role is ideal for an engineer with expertise in industrial electrical systems, machine-level integration, electrical safety standards, and project leadership who enjoys solving complex technical challenges and driving innovative solutions from concept through production.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S without the need for employer-sponsored visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical owner of the electrical design of machine level and submodules, helping define high-level requirements and guiding resources through execution, building, and troubleshooting.
• Translate high-level machine architecture into detailed panel and wiring requirements.
• Develop project plans and schedules, including tasks for the wire engineers, track and follow up on progress.
• Provide technical leadership to wire engineers for assigned projects, reviewing technical content, including cable drawings, schematics, I/O maps, timing diagrams, for accuracy and correct technical execution. and ensuring cost targets are achieved.
• Understand at the system level how the module works (motor drives, encoders, sensors, I/O, safety interlocks, safety controllers, etc.) and own its electrical requirements and troubleshoot problems until they're resolved.
• Support field installations and technical escalations.

Panel and wiring design

• Perform electrical engineering design including panel layout and wire routing with correct noise segregation (AC/DC, power/signal)
• Design power distribution and protection wiring: UL 508A, circuit brakers, GFCI, wire cross-section sizing, correct fuse and breaker practices/placement
• Complete E-chain design: including cable selection, fill rules, separation, etc.

Panel/Modules build support

• Provide technical content for and review-built panels for correct routing
• Troubleshoot machine-level electrical and build issues.

Standards and Safety

• Understand and guide the implementation of NFPA 79 and SEMI S2 design rules from the start of the design
• Understand and guide the implementation of wiring practices per SEMI and NFPA 79
• Understand and guide the implementation of safety controller design with zoned safety operation per SEMI S2 requirements

Tools

• Experience with any electrical CAD (Altium, DraftSight 2D, AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, etc.), Altium preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or MS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of designing complex industrial electrical systems, 8 years is preferred
• Preferred Qualifications - Experience with custom integrated flat-cable assemblies with built-in support (Bizlink, Igus)
• Producing the certification documentation for SEMI S2/NFPA79 assessments and working with certification agencies.

Job Conditions: Occasional domestic or international travel may be required.

Physical Demands/Strengths: Prolonged periods of sitting at a computer terminal. Use of keyboard.

Protective Devices Required: In required areas

Compensation: The estimated base pay range for this position is $90,000 to $115,000 per year, depending on qualifications, experience, education, and other job-related factors. This range represents Cohu’s good faith estimate of what it reasonably expects to pay for this role upon hire. This role may also be eligible for other compensation programs as determined by company policy.

Featured benefits

• Medical, dental & vision insurance
• 401(k) with company matching contributions
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition assistance
• Disability & life insurance
• Profit Sharing