Senior Systems Engineer

Actalent; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401(k) with company match

Annual profit-sharing program

Career growth opportunities

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Actalent in Poway, CA is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to lead the development of advanced semiconductor automation equipment from concept through validation. You will translate requirements into robust system-level designs, coordinating cross-functional teams to meet performance, reliability, and quality objectives.

The role emphasizes system architecture decisions, MBSE practices, and mentorship within a collaborative engineering environment focused on next-generation semiconductor

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with automated production equipment and complex automation or electromechanical systems.
• Strong electromechanical systems background and interaction of electrical, mechanical and controls components.
• Minimum 10+ years engineering experience; highly qualified candidates with 7+ years considered.
• At least 5 years of technical leadership across cross-functional teams and projects.
• Experience across mechanical, electrical, software, and controls on integrated systems.
• Strong understanding of system-level requirements, interfaces, and V&V processes.
• Ability to define requirements and interfaces, not only validate requirements from others.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Background in MBSE concepts; familiarity with Jama or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of system-level requirements, specifications, and interfaces for advanced semiconductor automation equipment.
• Translate customer and business requirements into robust system-level designs and solutions.
• Develop and maintain verification plans and validation activities through the product lifecycle.
• Coordinate across mechanical, electrical, software, controls and manufacturing teams.
• Conduct design reviews, risk assessments, and technical reviews to mitigate risks.
• Plan and oversee testing activities to confirm systems meet requirements and interfaces.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers in systems engineering best practices.
• Influence project direction with guidance on requirements, interfaces, and system integration.

Skills

Automation systems

Electromechanical systems

10+ years exp

Technical leadership 5+ yrs

Cross-discipline experience

System-level requirements

Define requirements & interfaces

Mentorship

Communication skills

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline

Mechatronics coursework/background

Tools

Jama requirements management

MBSE concepts familiarity

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Systems Engineer leads the development of advanced semiconductor automation equipment from concept through validation. This role translates customer and business requirements into robust system-level designs, coordinates cross-functional engineering efforts, and ensures that complex electromechanical automation platforms meet performance, reliability, and quality objectives. The engineer provides technical leadership, drives system architecture decisions, and mentors team members while working onsite as part of a collaborative engineering team focused on next-generation semiconductor automation technologies.

Job Title

Senior Systems Engineer

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of system-level requirements, specifications, and interfaces for advanced semiconductor automation equipment.


• Translate customer and business requirements into system-level designs and engineering solutions that meet performance and reliability goals.


• Develop and maintain verification plans and validation activities throughout the product lifecycle.


• Coordinate and align efforts across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure successful product development and integration.


• Conduct design reviews, risk assessments, and technical reviews to identify and mitigate design and integration risks.


• Plan and oversee testing activities, including verification and validation efforts, to confirm that systems meet defined requirements and interfaces.


• Support the development of complex electromechanical automation platforms, including gravity feed, turret, and pick-and-place systems.


• Drive system architecture decisions and ensure cross-functional alignment between hardware, software, and controls disciplines.


• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering team members, promoting best practices in systems engineering and design.


• Influence project direction by providing expert guidance on requirements definition, interfaces, system integration, and engineering trade-offs.


• Collaborate closely with controls and software engineers to ensure seamless interaction between control systems and mechanical hardware.


• Participate in discussions and decisions regarding Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices and requirements management tools.


• Communicate clearly with stakeholders regarding system status, risks, issues, and technical decisions throughout the project lifecycle.


• Work onsite as part of a collaborative engineering team focused on developing and improving next-generation semiconductor automation technologies.

Essential Skills

• Extensive experience with automated production equipment and complex automation or electromechanical systems.


• Strong electromechanical systems background, including a deep understanding of how electrical, mechanical, and controls components interact.


• 10+ years of engineering experience, with consideration for candidates with at least 7 years of experience who are highly qualified.


• Minimum of 5 years of technical leadership experience leading cross-functional engineering efforts, programs, projects, requirements, interfaces, or system-level activities.


• Proven experience working across mechanical, electrical, software, and controls engineering disciplines on integrated systems.


• Strong understanding of system-level requirements, specifications, interfaces, and verification and validation processes.


• Demonstrated ability to define requirements and interfaces, not only validate and test requirements created by others.


• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline.


• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.


• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills, with a track record of effective cross-functional engagement.


• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills applied to complex electromechanical and automation challenges.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with semiconductor equipment, robotics, automation, motion control, controls engineering, or systems engineering.


• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts and practices.


• Experience with requirements management tools such as Jama or similar platforms.


• Background or coursework in mechatronics or closely related disciplines.


• Experience leading or participating in design reviews, risk assessments, and structured verification and validation activities.


• Exposure to gravity feed, turret, and pick-and-place automation platforms or similar electromechanical systems.


• Ability to mentor and coach other engineers in systems engineering best practices and architecture-driven development.


• Comfort working with screening questions and structured interviews that assess responsibility for defining versus validating requirements.

Work Environment

The role is primarily onsite and embedded within a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering team developing next-generation semiconductor automation technologies. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineers in a lab and production-oriented environment that focuses on complex electromechanical automation platforms such as gravity feed, turret, and pick-and-place systems. The work involves regular interaction with advanced automated production equipment, motion control systems, and requirements management and systems engineering tools, including Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) platforms. The environment emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, technical excellence, and structured verification and validation activities throughout the product lifecycle, with a strong focus on system integration, reliability, and continuous improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $113000.00 - $170000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Competitive compensation package


• 401(k) with company match


• Annual profit-sharing program


• Career growth and development opportunities


• Comprehensive benefits package for employees and their families

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable Accommodation

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.