Optical Systems Architect

Nova Ltd.; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 233,000; Full time

Job summary

Nova Ltd. is seeking an Optical Engineer to lead the optics team’s development of high-end metrology tools. You will own end-to-end system concepts, define architecture, and collaborate across optics, algorithms, mechanics, and software to deliver coherent solutions.

The role combines hands-on experimentation in lab environments with data analysis, model validation, and customer-facing technical guidance. Occasional international travel is expected to support worldwide implementations.

Qualifications

• MSc/PhD in Physics or Engineering (Optics, Electrical or related)
• Strong background in experimental and theoretical research
• Advantage: Optics experience
• Advantage: Ellipsometry experience
• 10+ years in multidisciplinary system development in R&D environments
• Experience owning system-level development across disciplines
• Strong understanding of multi-disciplinary systems
• Strong system-architecture and performance budgeting skills
• Advanced data analysis and modeling skills
• Programming in Python/Matlab for complex data and modeling
• Experience with algorithm development in real systems
• Ability to operate in matrixed, multi-disciplinary environments
• Track record mentoring engineers/researchers
• Strong communication skills for presentations and documentation
• Proactive, self-driven, team player

Responsibilities

• Theoretical and experimental study of new system methods and algorithms
• Define and own end-to-end implementation and validation of system solutions
• Lead system architecture definition and performance budgeting
• Drive cross-functional decisions across optics, algorithms, mechanics and SW
• Serve as technical focal point for system-level trade-offs and escalations
• Mentor junior engineers and researchers in system thinking
• Hands-on tool experiments and testing in clean-room environments
• Provide service and production guidance on challenging topics
• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver coherent system-level solutions
• Data and statistical analysis for performance validation
• Algorithm development and integration within real systems
• Conduct lab and on-site diagnostics, root-cause analysis, and calibration methods
• Interact with physics, optics, algorithms, electronics, mechanics and software
• Translate customer requirements into concrete technical specs
• Occasional travel to customers (as needed)

Skills

Python/Matlab

Data analysis

System thinking

Mentoring

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

MSc or PhD in Physics/Engineering (Optics/EE)

Tools

Ellipsometry (advantage)

Lab experiments

Job description

The optics group at Nova is looking for a Optical Engineer to take responsibility for the optics team’s diverse development activities related to high-end, multi-disciplinary optical metrology tools.

• Nova provides insights into process control in the world’s most technologically advanced industry. We employ physics, math, algorithms, software and hardware expertise to redefine the limits of possible in semiconductors’ manufacturing.
• We invite you to join our dreamers and winners! Brilliant high- aimers who see impossible as the starting point to exciting challenges, and work together in multidisciplinary global teams to find answers.
• We dive deep, into the nanometric and atomic levels, to extract unique insights and provide our customers and partners with crucial decision-making data. Each and every one of us helps redefine what people can achieve through technology.

Pay Range: $190,000- $215,000 Annually (DOE)

We simply do things differently. What about you?

You’ll be joining the Optics group:

• The optics group is responsible for the whole optical path of the Nova tools starting from the light sources, through core optical components and to the sensors
• The optical path of Nova tools consists of diverse high-end elements from different optics branches providing state of the art performance at the system level
• Group members are involved in diverse development phases starting from initial research and characterization, through concept design and feasibility study to the final design and qualification
• All team members operate in multi-tasking environment, leading in parallel various research, design, and engineering activities

Role Responsibilities:

What you will be doing:

• Theoretical and experimental study of new system methods and algorithms to support state-of-the-art solutions
• Define, drive, and own end-to-end implementation and validation of system solutions across disciplines
• Lead system architecture definition and performance budgeting
• Drive cross-functional technical decisions across optics, algorithms, mechanics, and SW
• Serve as technical focal point for system-level trade-offs and escalations
• Mentor junior engineers and researchers in system thinking and methodology
• Hands on tool experiments and testing in clean-room environment
• Service and production guidance and support on challenging topics
• Lead cross-functional teams (HW, SW, algorithms) to deliver coherent system-level solutions
• Data and statistical analysis
• Advanced logic and sequence design
• Algorithm development
• Performance and critical behavior testing and design
• Developing practical solutions and methods for critical challenges
• Conduct lab and on-site system diagnostics, troubleshooting, and problem-solving. Tasks include root-cause analysis, mitigation plans, implementing robust system calibration methods, and product transfer to manufacturing.
• Intensive interface with diverse disciplines: physics, optics, algorithms, mechanics, electronics, and software.
• Transform customer’s high-level requirements into concrete technical specifications and design.
• Flights to customers around the world (up to 2 times per year) cifications and design.

Requirements:

• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in Physics or Engineering (Optics, Electrical or related disciplines)
• Strong background in experimental and theoretical research applied to real-world systems
• Advantage - Optics experience
• Advantage - Ellipsometry experience
• 10+ years of experience in multidisciplinary system development within advanced technology R&D environments
• Demonstrated experience in owning system-level development, including architecture definition, performance analysis, and integration across disciplines
• Deep understanding of multi-disciplinary systems, including physics, optics, algorithms, electronics, mechanics, and software
• Strong capability in system architecture definition, including performance budgeting, error analysis, and cross-domain trade-offs
• Advanced experience in data analysis and modeling (signal processing, statistical analysis, experimental data interpretation)
• Strong hands-on programming skills in Python / Matlab, with application to complex system data and modeling
• Experience in algorithm development and integration within real systems
• Ability to operate effectively in highly complex, matrixed, multi-disciplinary environments
• Track record of mentoring and guiding engineers/researchers in system-level thinking and methodology
• Strong communication skills, with significant experience in technical presentations, documentation, and stakeholder alignment
• Proactive, self-driven, and comfortable working in high-ambiguity environments
• We are looking for a dedicated, out-of-the-box thinker who’s most importantly a great team player.

Get to know us better:

Nova (NASDAQ: NVMI) is a global company and a leading provider of innovative metrology solutions for process control in semiconductor manufacturing.

With a team of ~1200 people in three R&D centers and 27 field offices, we bring insights into the world’s most advanced industry. We leverage multiple technology fields such as physics, optics, chemistry, and algorithms to develop hardware and software solutions that measure almost every advanced computer chip built in the world.

Nova dives deep into dimensions and layers at the atomic level to extract unique insights and provide our customers with crucial decision-making data, managing critical challenges by providing unique, differentiated solutions.

Our outstanding people-focused and innovative culture means every person at Nova has the power to make an impact and significantly redefine what people can achieve through technology.

Join us if you are

A dreamer and brilliant high aimer who sees the impossible as the starting point and loves working in a multidisciplinary global team to create innovative breakthroughs.

If you need assistance due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail]