Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering, Sensor & Laser Technologies

ASM; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ASM is seeking a Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering to drive laser-enabled sensing tech for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. You will lead cross-functional teams to define system requirements, develop measurement solutions, and deploy advanced laser technologies across ASM product platforms.

The role requires strong systems thinking, optics, sensors, and data analytics expertise, with a track record in multidisciplinary development and product qualification programs.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with laser-based measurement systems, laser heating technologies, and optical metrology systems.
• Experience with pyrometry, thermal metrology, wafer alignment, laser triangulation, or optical positioning systems.
• Knowledge of laser beam delivery, optical design, laser safety, and semiconductor thermal processing applications.
• Experience integrating lasers and optical subsystems into semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
• Demonstrated technical leadership of complex, multidisciplinary development programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop, integrate, qualify, and deploy advanced sensing and laser-enabled technologies across ASM product platforms.
• Define system requirements and develop innovative measurement and control solutions with cross-functional teams.
• Provide technical leadership for multidisciplinary projects from concept through deployment.
• Influence product roadmaps through strategic laser technology development and technical leadership.
• Lead proof-of-concept activities, technology demonstrations, and product qualification programs.

Skills

Systems thinking

Optics

Sensors

Lasers

Data analytics

Technical leadership

Education

MS or PhD in Optical Engineering/Physics/Mechanical/Electrical/Systems Engineering

Tools

Laser-based measurement systems

Laser heating technologies

Optical metrology systems

Job description

Step into a career with ASM, where cutting edge technology meets collaborative culture.

For over 55 years ASM has been ahead of what’s next, at the forefront of innovation and what’s technologically possible. With more than 4,500 ASMers representing 70 nationalities, our people and our advanced semiconductor devices are playing a crucial role in trends such as 5G, cloud computing, AI, and autonomous driving. But we’re more than just a tech company. We value diversity, inclusion and sustainability as we strive to make a positive impact on the world. Our development programs help support your growth, shaping your future and pushing the boundaries of innovation to unleash potential.

We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering to join the Sensor Technology Group. This role combines deep technical expertise, technology leadership, and cross-functional influence to drive the development, qualification, deployment, and continuous improvement of advanced sensing and laser-enabled technologies for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.

Job Mission

The Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering is a recognized technical leader responsible for the development, integration, qualification, and deployment of advanced sensing and laser-enabled technologies across ASM product platforms. This role focuses on laser-based process solutions, including laser heating, laser-assisted pyrometry, wafer leveling, wafer centering, and optical metrology, while leveraging sensor data to improve process understanding, equipment performance, and product outcomes.

Working closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Software, Process, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering teams, this individual will define system requirements, develop innovative measurement and control solutions, and provide technical leadership for multidisciplinary projects from concept through deployment. The position requires strong systems thinking, expertise in optics, sensors, lasers, and data analytics, and the ability to translate emerging technologies into differentiated product capabilities that support ASM's long-term technology roadmap.

Laser Technologies Leadership

• Lead development and integration of laser-enabled technologies for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
• Define system architectures, performance requirements, interfaces, and validation strategies for laser heating, laser-assisted temperature measurement, wafer leveling, and wafer centering subsystems.
• Evaluate and select laser sources, beam-delivery architectures, optical components, and metrology technologies for advanced process-control applications.
• Drive development of laser-assisted pyrometry solutions to improve temperature measurement accuracy under varying emissivity and process conditions.
• Develop laser-based solutions for wafer alignment, leveling, centering, and geometry measurement applications.
• Lead proof-of-concept activities, technology demonstrations, and product qualification programs.
• Support thermal characterization, process optimization, and advanced process-control initiatives through innovative laser technologies.
• Identify emerging laser technologies and assess their applicability to future ASM products.
• Establish best practices for laser subsystem integration, characterization, reliability, safety, and performance validation.
• Influence product roadmaps through strategic laser technology development and technical leadership.

Preferred Qualifications (Additional)

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Experience with laser-based measurement systems, laser heating technologies, and optical metrology systems.
• Experience with pyrometry, thermal metrology, wafer alignment, laser triangulation, or optical positioning systems.
• Knowledge of laser beam delivery, optical design, laser safety, and semiconductor thermal processing applications.
• Experience integrating lasers and optical subsystems into semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
• Demonstrated technical leadership of complex, multidisciplinary development programs.

What Makes You Successful (Additional)

• Strong understanding of laser technologies and their application to process control, thermal management, temperature measurement, and wafer positioning.
• Ability to connect laser-based measurements with process behavior and equipment performance.
• Demonstrated experience developing innovative laser-enabled solutions that improve semiconductor manufacturing outcomes.
• Strong experimental and analytical skills in optics, thermal systems, and precision metrology.
• Ability to influence technical direction across multiple organizations without direct authority.
• Proven track record of converting technology concepts into deployed product capabilities.

We make the tech that enables the chips in devices which improve lives around the world. We do this with an eye to the future, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through cutting-edge innovation, and driving the next wave of technological breakthroughs that shape how we live, work, and connect.

To learn more about ASM, find us at asm.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

ASM is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify or expression, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.