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

Annual profit-sharing

Career growth opportunities

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Actalent in Poway, CA seeks a Senior Systems Engineer to lead system-level definition and delivery for advanced semiconductor automation equipment, translating customer requirements into architectures, interfaces, and verification plans while collaborating with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing teams.

Requires 10+ years of engineering experience, MBSE familiarity, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Systems, Electrical, Mechatronics or related field.
• Approximately 10+ years of engineering experience with semiconductor equipment or automation.
• Experience with MBSE methodologies and Jama or similar tools.
• Strong ability to mentor engineers and lead end-to-end system definitions.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration across mechanical, electrical, software, and controls teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead system-level requirements, specifications, interfaces, and validation plans for semiconductor automation equipment.
• Translate customer and business requirements into robust system designs meeting performance and quality goals.
• Drive architecture decisions and ensure alignment across hardware, software, and controls.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities to ensure cohesive product development and integration.
• Conduct design reviews, risk assessments, and verification/validation activities.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams.
• Engage in continuous improvement of systems engineering processes and traceability.

Skills

System-level engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Problem solving

Mentoring engineers

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Jama

MBSE tools

Job description

Job Title: Senior Systems Engineer

Job Description

The Senior Systems Engineer leads the definition and delivery of system-level solutions for advanced semiconductor automation equipment. This role translates customer and business requirements into robust system architectures, requirements, specifications, and verification and validation plans for complex electromechanical automation platforms. You collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineering teams to drive successful product development, integration, and lifecycle support for next-generation semiconductor automation technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of system-level requirements, specifications, interfaces, and verification and validation plans for advanced semiconductor automation equipment.
• Translate customer and business requirements into system-level designs and engineering solutions that meet performance, reliability, and quality objectives.
• Drive system architecture decisions and ensure alignment between hardware, software, controls, and mechanical disciplines.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities across mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineering teams to ensure cohesive product development and integration.
• Conduct and facilitate design reviews to evaluate concepts, architectures, and detailed designs for technical soundness and risk.
• Perform risk assessments and mitigation planning throughout the product lifecycle, focusing on system-level performance and reliability.
• Plan, oversee, and participate in testing activities, including verification and validation efforts, to ensure systems meet defined requirements and specifications.
• Support the development and integration of complex electromechanical automation platforms, including gravity feed, turret, and pick-and-place systems.
• Serve as the technical lead for system-level activities, including requirements definition, interface management, and cross-discipline engineering coordination.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering team members, promoting best practices in systems engineering and cross-functional collaboration.
• Influence project direction by recommending architecture choices, design trade-offs, and engineering processes that improve system performance and development efficiency.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to clarify requirements, interfaces, and acceptance criteria, ensuring traceability from customer needs to delivered systems.
• Engage in continuous improvement of systems engineering processes, including requirements management, model-based approaches, and verification and validation methodologies.
• Work onsite as an active member of a collaborative engineering team focused on next-generation semiconductor automation technologies.

Essential Skills

• Extensive experience with automated production equipment or complex automation systems, particularly in electromechanical environments.
• Strong electromechanical systems background, with a clear understanding of how electrical, mechanical, and controls components interact at the system level.
• Leadership experience of approximately 5 or more years leading programs, projects, requirements, interfaces, or system-level engineering activities.
• Deep understanding of system-level requirements, specifications, interfaces, and verification and validation processes.
• Proven experience working across mechanical, electrical, software, and controls engineering disciplines in a collaborative product development setting.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts clearly to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated collaboration and teamwork skills, with a track record of effective cross-functional coordination.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, including the capacity to diagnose complex system-level issues and propose effective solutions.
• Hands-on experience with automated production equipment and complex electromechanical systems.
• Ability to take technical ownership of requirements definition and interface management, rather than only validating and testing requirements defined by others.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Approximately 10 or more years of engineering experience, with consideration for candidates with 7 or more years who demonstrate strong qualifications.
• Experience with semiconductor equipment, robotics, automation, motion control, controls engineering, or systems engineering.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools.
• Experience with requirements management tools such as Jama or similar platforms.
• background in control systems, mechanical engineering, or mechatronics concepts.
• Ability to mentor and guide other engineers in best practices for systems engineering and cross-functional collaboration.
• Comfort working as a technical lead responsible for end-to-end system definition, integration, and validation.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in and lead design reviews, risk assessments, and verification and validation activities.

Work Environment

This role is primarily onsite within a collaborative engineering environment focused on developing next-generation semiconductor automation technologies. You work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, controls, and manufacturing engineers on complex electromechanical automation platforms, including gravity feed, turret, and pick-and-place systems. The environment emphasizes cross-functional teamwork, technical leadership, and rigorous systems engineering practices, including structured requirements management, system architecture development, and comprehensive verification and validation activities. You can expect a professional setting that values clear communication, disciplined engineering processes, and continuous improvement in automation and semiconductor equipment technologies.

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 2, 2026.

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.