Senior Systems Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Profit sharing

Career growth opportunities

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Senior Systems Engineer in Poway, CA, to lead system-level requirements, architecture, and verification for advanced semiconductor automation equipment. You will coordinate mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing teams to ensure cohesive product development across the full lifecycle.

We value strong communication, MBSE proficiency, and a track record of guiding architecture decisions and risk mitigation in complex electromechanical systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• Experience with semiconductor equipment, robotics, automation, motion control, or systems engineering.
• Familiarity with MBSE concepts and tools.
• Experience using requirements management tools such as Jama or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of system-level requirements, specifications, and interface definitions for advanced semiconductor automation equipment.
• Translate customer and business requirements into clear system-level designs and engineering solutions.
• Drive system architecture decisions across hardware, software, and controls disciplines.
• Develop and maintain verification plans and validation activities for complex electromechanical platforms.
• Coordinate design activities across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineering teams.

Skills

Electromechanical Systems

Lead cross-functional teams

System-level design

Requirements management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Systems Engineering

Tools

MBSE concepts

Jama

Job description

Job Title: Senior Systems Engineer

Job Description

Senior Systems Engineer leads the definition, design, and validation of advanced semiconductor automation equipment, with a focus on complex electromechanical platforms such as gravity feed, turret, and pick-and-place systems. This role translates customer and business requirements into robust system-level architectures and engineering solutions while coordinating closely with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineering teams. The Senior Systems Engineer provides technical leadership, drives engineering best practices, and ensures successful product development and integration throughout the full product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of system-level requirements, specifications, and interface definitions for advanced semiconductor automation equipment.
• Translate customer and business requirements into clear system-level designs and engineering solutions.
• Drive system architecture decisions and ensure alignment across hardware, software, and controls disciplines.
• Develop and maintain verification plans and validation activities for complex electromechanical automation platforms.
• Coordinate design activities across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure cohesive product development and integration.
• Conduct formal design reviews and risk assessments to identify, track, and mitigate technical and integration risks.
• Plan, execute, and oversee testing activities, including verification and validation efforts, throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support the development and optimization of gravity feed, turret, and pick-and-place automation systems and related semiconductor equipment.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to cross-functional engineering teams, promoting best practices in systems engineering.
• Influence project direction by guiding system-level trade-offs, architecture choices, and interface definitions.
• Ensure that system-level requirements, specifications, and interfaces are clearly documented and effectively communicated to all stakeholders.
• Collaborate closely with controls and motion control engineers to ensure seamless interaction between electrical, mechanical, and control components.
• Work onsite as part of a collaborative engineering team focused on next‑generation semiconductor automation technologies.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, including requirements management, model‑based approaches, and verification/validation methodologies.

Essential Skills

• Extensive experience with automated production equipment and complex automation systems.
• Strong electromechanical systems background, with a clear understanding of how electrical, mechanical, and controls components interact.
• 10+ years of engineering experience, with consideration for candidates with at least 7 years of highly relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of technical leadership experience leading cross‑functional engineering efforts, programs, projects, requirements, interfaces, or system‑level activities.
• Proven experience defining system‑level requirements, specifications, interfaces, and verification/validation processes, rather than solely validating requirements defined by others.
• Experience working collaboratively across mechanical, electrical, software, and controls engineering disciplines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated collaboration skills, including the ability to coordinate effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, with a structured approach to diagnosing and resolving system‑level issues.
• Experience with automated production equipment and complex electromechanical systems in an industrial or high‑technology environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience with semiconductor equipment, robotics, automation, motion control, controls engineering, or systems engineering.
• Familiarity with Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts and tools.
• Experience using requirements management tools such as Jama or similar platforms.
• background in mechatronics, integrating mechanical, electrical, and control systems into cohesive solutions.
• Experience with control systems for automated equipment, including motion control and automation architectures.
• Ability to provide technical mentorship and guidance to less experienced engineers.
• Comfort participating in screening discussions about responsibility for defining requirements and interfaces versus primarily validating and testing requirements created by others.

Work Environment

The Senior Systems Engineer works onsite as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering team focused on next‑generation semiconductor automation technologies. The environment centers on advanced automated production equipment and complex electromechanical systems, including gravity feed, turret, and pick‑and‑place platforms. Daily work involves close interaction with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineers, as well as hands‑on engagement with semiconductor equipment, robotics, automation, and motion control systems. The role emphasizes cross‑functional collaboration, structured engineering processes, and a strong systems engineering culture that supports innovation, technical excellence, 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 Oct 23, 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.

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.