Systems Engineer - Metrology

Critical Fit Recruiting; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Systems Engineer 3 position in the Boston area focuses on supporting, maintaining, and advancing complex optical inspection and metrology platforms used in the semiconductor sector. The role requires hands-on engineering in optical instrumentation, motion control, and systems integration, with a strong problem-solving mindset.

We seek candidates with a physics or engineering background, 5+ years of relevant experience, cross-functional collaboration skills, and willingness to travel up to

Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Engineering, or Materials Science preferred.
• 5+ years in high-precision optical or semiconductor capital equipment.
• Experience in cross-functional environments supporting product development, manufacturing, or field operations.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% (domestic and international).

Responsibilities

• Integrate hardware subsystems with software for product functionality.
• Qualify new product configurations emphasizing performance and reliability.
• Assess health and performance of installed systems in labs and customer sites.
• Maintain and support engineering systems; diagnose and resolve issues.
• Communicate status updates and technical findings to stakeholders.
• Collaborate across customers, marketing, supply chain, manufacturing, field service, and applications.
• Document alignment, calibration, and repair procedures.
• Travel to customer locations to support integration and troubleshooting (≈20%).

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Optical inspection expertise

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

Physics/Engineering/Materials Science degree

Job description

Systems Engineer - Metrology - Boston, MA Area

DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking a Systems Engineer 3 to independently contribute to the support, maintenance, and development of complex automated optical inspection and metrology platforms for the semiconductor industry. The ideal candidate will have experience in several of the following areas: optical or imaging instrumentation, motion control systems, semiconductor inspection and metrology, systems/product/verification engineering, and creative problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities:

• Integrate hardware subsystems with software to enable the desired functionality of existing and emerging products and technologies.
• Qualify new product configurations and specifications, with an emphasis on performance and reliability.
• Assess the health and performance of installed systems in engineering labs, applications labs, and customer sites.
• Maintain and support engineering and applications systems; diagnose and resolve system issues independently or in collaboration with subject matter experts.
• Communicate status updates and technical findings to internal stakeholders and customers, as needed.
• Contribute to projects involving optical inspection and metrology systems utilizing a broad range of optical technologies.
• Collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams, including customers, marketing, supply chain, manufacturing, field service, and applications engineering
• Document alignment, calibration, and repair procedures.
• Travel to customer locations (domestic and international) to support integration, troubleshooting, and customer engagements (approximately 20%)

Qualifications:

• A degree in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in high-precision optical or semiconductor capital equipment, or related industries.
• Proven experience working in cross-functional environments supporting product development, manufacturing, or field operations.
• Knowledge of optical inspection, metrology, spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and reflectometry is a plus.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to 20%).