Senior Systems Engineer

Cohu, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cohu, Inc. in San Diego, CA, is seeking a seasoned system-level leader to guide the development of advanced mechatronic platforms for semiconductor backend equipment.

You will translate complex requirements into robust architectures, balancing performance, reliability, usability, and cost. You’ll drive cross-domain integration of mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains, mentor interdisciplinary teams, and ensure certifications and documentation are in place.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechatronics, mechanical, or electrical engineering (MSc/MEng desired).
• 10+ years in system-level leadership of complex mechatronic development, ideally in semiconductor backend equipment.
• 5+ years as a direct engineer in a discipline.
• Proven track record in system engineering, machine concept development, and cross-functional leadership.
• Deep understanding of thermal systems, motion control, sensor integration and machine intelligence.
• Experience with requirement engineering, risk management, and certification processes.
• Strong knowledge of modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink), CAE, and system simulation.
• Excellent English communication skills; German and/or French are a plus.
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Conduct system-level requirement analysis and author technical specifications and design briefs for platforms, machines, and modules.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of technical concepts in collaboration with domain experts, based on functional, economic, and risk criteria.
• Ensure architectural consistency and interface compatibility across subsystems and modules.
• Guide the development of subsystem concepts and validate their feasibility through analytical modeling and simulation.
• Facilitate design reviews and ensure that development progress aligns with system-level objectives.
• Drive risk assessments and initiate necessary pre-development or technology validation activities.
• Ensure compliance with certification requirements (e.g., CE, SEMI, RoHS) and support the preparation of documentation.
• Support patent applications and the protection of intellectual property arising from system innovations.
• Present technical solutions and resolve system-level issues in collaboration with customers and stakeholders.
• May provide full system "architecture(s)" for new concepts and/or customer driven ideations.

Skills

System engineering leadership

Mechatronics

Cross-functional leadership

Requirement engineering

Modeling & simulation

MATLAB/Simulink

Thermal systems

Travel readiness

English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechatronics/mechanical/electrical engineering

MSc/MEng preferred

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

CAE

System simulation tools

Job description

• Translate complex customer and market requirements into robust system concepts that balance performance, reliability, usability, and cost of ownership.
• Drive system-level innovation by integrating mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains into cohesive machine platforms.
• Moderate cross-functional concept development workshops and guide teams through structured decision-making under uncertainty.
• Evaluate feasibility and risk of new concepts using first-principles physics and empirical modeling.
• Ensure system-level traceability from requirements to implementation and maintain architectural integrity throughout the development lifecycle.
• Act as a technical authority and mentor for interdisciplinary engineering teams during the development of complex mechatronic systems.
• Drive development schedules of module and platform development projects aligned to overall program and project dates to meet committed demonstration and ship dates.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct system-level requirement analysis and author technical specifications and design briefs for platforms, machines, and modules.
• Lead the evaluation and selection of technical concepts in collaboration with domain experts, based on functional, economic, and risk criteria.
• Ensure architectural consistency and interface compatibility across subsystems and modules.
• Guide the development of subsystem concepts and validate their feasibility through analytical modeling and simulation.
• Facilitate design reviews and ensure that development progress aligns with system-level objectives.
• Drive risk assessments and initiate necessary pre-development or technology validation activities.
• Ensure compliance with certification requirements (e.g., CE, SEMI, RoHS) and support the preparation of documentation.
• Support patent applications and the protection of intellectual property arising from system innovations.
• Present technical solutions and resolve system-level issues in collaboration with customers and stakeholders.
• May provide full system "architecture(s)" for new concepts and/or customer driven ideations.

ESSENTIAL QUALITY EXPECTATIONS

• Strategic and systems-level thinking with the ability to balance technical depth and cross-domain integration.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make sound decisions under ambiguity using physical principles and engineering judgment.
• Excellent communication and moderation skills to lead interdisciplinary teams through complex trade-offs.
• Proactive mindset for identifying innovation opportunities and system improvements.
• Commitment to technical excellence, documentation, and knowledge transfer.
• Customer-oriented thinking and ability to represent the company in technical discussions.

AUTHORITY

• Lead modules and system level development for TH team under the Director of Engineering

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. (MSc, MEng, etc. desired)
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the system level leadership of the development of complex mechatronic systems, ideally in semiconductor backend equipment.
• Minimum of 5 years as a direct engineer in a discipline.
• Proven track record in system engineering, machine concept development, and cross-functional engineering leadership.
• Deep understanding of thermal systems, motion control, sensor integration and machine intelligence.
• Experience with requirement engineering, risk management, and certification processes.
• Strong knowledge of modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink), CAE, and system simulation.
• Excellent English communication skills: German and/or French is a plus.
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 20%.