(Senior) Engineer II, Systems Engineering (Optical)

ASM; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ASM is seeking an Optical Engineer to design, develop, and validate advanced optical and imaging solutions for next-generation products and systems. You will work across hardware, software, electrical, and mechanical teams to optimize optical performance for sensing, visualization, inspection, and imaging.

The role emphasizes technical leadership in reliability, system integration, and qualification programs, with opportunities to influence product architecture and roadmap decisions.

Qualifications

• BS in Optics engineering or related technical discipline.
• Experience in reliability, systems, or product development engineering.
• Experience leading complex technical projects with cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with FA/RCA, qualification programs, and reliability testing.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Experience with imaging, sensing, or semiconductor equipment is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level engineering activities across new product development and sustaining programs.
• Define reliability requirements, test methodologies, qualification strategies, and validation plans for complex equipment.
• Serve as SME for reliability, system performance, and root cause investigations.
• Drive Design for Reliability (DfR) across the product lifecycle.
• Coordinate technical activities across multiple concurrent development programs.

Skills

Optical engineering

Imaging technologies

Computer vision

System integration

Education

BS in Optics engineering

Tools

Data analytics tools

Scripting

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 skilled Optical Engineer to design, develop, and validate advanced optical and imaging solutions for next-generation products and systems. The ideal candidate will combine expertise in optical engineering, imaging technologies, computer vision, and system integration to deliver high-performance solutions for sensing, visualization, inspection, and imaging applications.

The Optical Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams including hardware, software, electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, and product engineering to optimize optical performance and ensure successful product deployment.

Job Mission

The System Engineer serves as a technical leader responsible for defining and driving system reliability strategies, leading complex cross-functional engineering initiatives, and influencing product design decisions across multiple product platforms.

Working closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Software, Process, and Manufacturing Engineering teams, this individual will ensure that reliability, performance, and product quality objectives are achieved throughout the product lifecycle.

This position requires independent technical judgment, strong systems thinking, and the ability to lead engineering efforts that span multiple disciplines and stakeholders.

What You Will Be Working On

Technical Leadership

• Lead system-level engineering activities across new product development and sustaining engineering programs.
• Define reliability requirements, test methodologies, qualification strategies, and validation plans for complex semiconductor equipment and subsystems.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for reliability engineering, system performance analysis, and root cause investigations.
• Drive Design for Reliability (DfR) practices throughout the product development lifecycle.
• Lead system architecture and design reviews with a focus on risk reduction, reliability improvement, and product robustness.

Reliability & Failure Analysis

• Lead complex Failure Analysis (FA) and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations involving multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Establish corrective and preventive action strategies that improve product reliability and field performance.
• Develop and maintain reliability growth models, reliability predictions, and product health metrics.
• Analyze fleet and field performance data to identify systemic issues and improvement opportunities.
• Own reliability reporting, trend analysis, and executive-level communications.

Product Development & Program Leadership

• Lead qualification efforts , accelerated life testing, environmental testing, and product validation programs.
• Develop reliability roadmaps aligned with business objectives and product strategies.
• Influence product architectures and engineering decisions through data-driven recommendations.
• Coordinate technical activities across multiple concurrent development programs.
• Partner with supplier quality and external vendors to improve subsystem reliability and qualification processes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Software, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering teams.
• Interface with customers, suppliers, and field organizations on technical reliability matters.
• Support design reviews, technology assessments, risk evaluations, and product release decisions.
• Lead technical discussions and communicate complex engineering concepts to diverse audiences.

Mentorship & Leadership

• Mentor and develop junior engineers and early-career team members.
• Provide technical guidance during project execution and complex problem-solving activities.
• Establish and promote engineering best practices, procedures, and design standards.
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving teams and technical working groups.

Minimum Qualifications

• Expertise in optical engineering, imaging technologies, computer vision, and system integration to deliver high-performance solutions for sensing, visualization, inspection, and imaging applications.
• BS in Optics engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Engineering experience in reliability, systems, product development, qualification, or related engineering functions.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex technical projects and cross-functional teams.
• Experience performing advanced Failure Analysis (FA) and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Experience developing and executing reliability test plans and qualification programs.
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle development processes.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Engineering or related technical field.
• Semiconductor equipment, semiconductor manufacturing, plasma systems, RF power, vacuum systems, or related industry experience.
• Experience with automation, data acquisition, scripting, or data analytics tools.
• Experience influencing product roadmap decisions and technology strategies.

What Makes You Successful

• Strong systems-thinking mindset and ability to connect technical decisions to business outcomes.
• Proven technical leadership without direct people-management responsibility.
• Ability to lead ambiguity and drive decisions in complex engineering environments.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Working Conditions

• Office and laboratory environment.
• Occasional travel to ASM sites, suppliers, and customer locations.
• Ability to work on multiple concurrent projects and priorities.
• Flexibility to support critical engineering and qualification activities when required.

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.