Principal Systems Engineer
About The Position
Onto Innovation is seeking a highly experienced Principal Systems Engineer to lead the architecture, integration, and validation of complex systems for advanced semiconductor Films and OCD metrology equipment. This role requires deep technical leadership across multidisciplinary domains, including optics, mechanics, electronics, software, and controls. The Principal Systems Engineer will define system-level requirements, ensure cross-functional alignment, and drive technical execution from concept through production. This individual serves as the technical authority and plays a critical role in solving complex system-level challenges impacting performance, reliability, and scalability.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, Physics, or related field).
- 10+ years of experience in complex system design and integration.
- Proven experience in systems engineering within semiconductor equipment, photonics, aerospace, or precision instrumentation industries.
- Strong understanding of multidisciplinary systems (mechanics, optics, electronics, controls, and software).
- Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with semiconductor metrology, inspection, or lithography systems.
- Knowledge of precision motion systems, optics, vacuum systems, or laser-based instrumentation.
- Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).
- Experience defining system error budgets and performance modeling.
- Exposure to cleanroom environments and high-reliability systems.
Responsibilities
- Define and own system architecture for complex, high-precision equipment.
- Translate product requirements into detailed system specifications and subsystem requirements.
- Lead trade studies, system partitioning, and design decisions across multiple engineering disciplines.
- Serve as the technical lead and decision-maker for system-level design reviews.
- Develop, manage, and maintain system requirements, including traceability and validation.
- Define and control system interfaces (mechanical, electrical, optical, software).
- Ensure alignment between subsystem designs and overall system performance requirements.
- Lead system integration efforts, identifying and resolving cross-domain issues.
- Develop system-level test plans, validation strategies, and acceptance criteria.
- Drive root cause analysis and resolution of system performance issues.
- Establish system error budgets, performance models, and sensitivity analyses.
- Ensure system stability under environmental conditions (thermal, vibration, contamination).
- Lead design for reliability, maintainability, and manufacturability at the system level.
- Collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams.
- Interface with product management, manufacturing, quality, and field service teams.
- Mentor junior engineers and influence technical direction across the organization.
- Support project planning, risk assessment, and milestone delivery.
- Identify technical risks and implement mitigation strategies.
- Support customer engagements and translate application needs into system capabilities.
Benefits
- Competitive salaries
- Health coverage
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 401(k) with employer match
- Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
- Wellness initiatives
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
