Systems Engineer III - (E3) | Optics

Applied Materials; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a Systems Engineer focused on optical subsystems to design, integrate, and test high-performance optical systems for semiconductor applications. You will translate system requirements into optical architectures, develop verification plans, and drive qualification from prototype to production while collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams.

Join a global leader in materials science offering strong growth, comprehensive benefits, and a culture that

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience assembling, aligning, calibrating, and using opto-mechanical systems.
• Solid understanding of optics, imaging, illumination, and metrology.
• Experience with optical test equipment (power meters, spectrometers, interferometers).
• Ability to read engineering drawings and optical prescriptions.
• Strong troubleshooting and data analysis skills.
• Programming or scripting in Python or Matlab.

Responsibilities

• Identify scope, constraints, and risks for design, fabrication, testing, and volume production of optical subsystems.
• Derive specifications for subsystems from system requirements and provide input to design engineers.
• Define test plans and execute experiments to validate optical performance.
• Plan optical alignment, calibration, and characterization of subsystems and full-system builds.
• Develop and maintain optical test scripts and tooling for automated measurements.
• Collaborate with suppliers on sub-assemblies and participate in quality activities.
• Support installation, qualification, and production use at customer sites.
• Write technical reports summarizing findings and recommendations.

Skills

Optical alignment

Troubleshooting

Data analysis

Python/ Matlab

Cross-functional collaboration

System integration

Education

BS in Optics/Physics/EE

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

Code V

Matlab

Interferometers

Beam profilers

Job description

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

What We Offer

Salary: $138,000.00 - $190,000.00

Location: Santa Clara,CA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.

As a Systems Engineer, you’ll design, integrate, and optimize complex systems that drive the semiconductor industry forward. Your expertise in systems thinking and problem-solving is essential as you collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop advanced solutions to intricate processes and writing system specifications. You’ll be responsible for analyzing requirements, defining system architectures, conducting thorough testing, and ensuring seamless integration of subsystems. Additionally, you’ll identify and mitigate risks, confirming that our systems meet the highest quality standards and exceed customer expectations.

Description

Optical systems engineer to support product development of a complex, high performance optical system. Contribute to the product development cycle, from system specification, design support, and prototyping to verification, validation, manufacturing, install, and field support. Requires solid technical knowledge of opto-mechanical systems (illumination, imaging optics, and sensors) and the ability to work independently on defined technical problems while contributing to multi-disciplinary team results in a data-driven culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Be part of an engineering team to identify the scope, constraints, and risks for design, fabrication, test, and volume production of optical subsystems (illumination, imaging optics, lens assemblies, and imaging sensor channels).
• Use customer and system requirements to help derive specifications for optical subsystems, modules, and components; provide input to design engineers.
• Contribute to error budgets for optical performance (resolution/MTF, focus, alignment, throughput, stability) and help define subsystem-level requirements for validation during system alpha testing.
• Plan and execute optical alignment, calibration, and characterization of subsystems and full-system builds; maintain accurate records.
• Define and execute test plans for prototype acceptance and qualification of optical subsystems, modules, and components.
• Design and execute experiments (DOE) to validate optical performance, assess risks, and support concept and feasibility testing of roadmap HW and SW features.
• Troubleshoot and root cause optical and system-level issues in manufacturing and the field; communicate findings clearly to engineering teams.
• Develop and maintain optical test and metrology scripts and tooling for automated measurement of key performance metrics.
• Collaborate with suppliers on critical optical sub-assemblies, and support supplier quality activities and failure analysis of returned modules.
• Support manufacturing and customer site teams during install, qualification, and production use; develop build documentation, work instructions, and BKMs.
• Write and present technical reports summarizing findings and recommending solutions.

Education

• BS, MS, or PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 2+ years of relevant experience with a BS, 0+ years with an MS or PhD.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience assembling, aligning, calibrating, and using opto-mechanical instrumentation or systems incorporating light sources, optical sensors, lenses, filters, and cameras.
• Solid understanding of geometric and physical optics, imaging, illumination, and optical metrology fundamentals.
• Experience with optical test and measurement equipment (power meters, spectrometers, interferometers, beam profilers, alignment tools).
• Experience designing and executing test plans and feasibility studies.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and a systematic problem-solving approach.
• Proficient with data analysis and visualization; programming or scripting experience such as Python or Matlab.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, optical prescriptions, and schematics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to collaborate to achieve results in a timely manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Optical modeling and simulation experience (Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or similar).
• Experience with imaging systems, high-speed or line-scan cameras, laser-based systems, or metrology equipment.
• Image processing experience a plus.
• SW automation experience and AI tools experience (Claude Code and others) a plus.
• Experience in semiconductor equipment, cleanroom environments, ESD, and contamination control practices.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and service organizations through documentation (procedures, OMS, BKMs) and training.

Additional Information

Time Type

Full time

Employee Type

Assignee / Regular

Travel

Yes, 20% of the Time

Relocation Eligible

No

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at [e-mail], or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.