Senior Electro/Mechanical Systems Engineer

Cohu•San Diego, CA

2d•$113,000 - $170,000

About The Position

The Senior Electro/Mechanical Systems Engineer translates complex customer and market requirements into robust system concepts that balance performance, reliability, usability, and cost of ownership. The role integrates mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains into cohesive machine platforms, evaluates new concepts using first-principles physics and empirical modeling, and maintains traceability and architectural integrity throughout development. This position leads module- and system-level development for the EPG team, guides interdisciplinary engineering teams, and drives development schedules to meet program milestones and committed demonstration and ship dates. It also represents the company in technical discussions with customers and stakeholders, supports intellectual property protection, and helps ensure compliance with applicable certification requirements. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering; at least 10 years of system-level leadership experience developing complex robotic, electromechanical, or mechatronic systems; and at least five years as a direct engineer in a discipline. A master’s degree is desired. International travel of up to 20% is expected. The estimated annual base pay range is $113,000–$170,000, with possible eligibility for other compensation programs under company policy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering.
At least 10 years of experience in system-level leadership of development of complex robotic, electromechanical, or mechatronic systems.
At least 5 years as a direct engineer in a discipline.
Proven track record in systems engineering, robotic machine concept development, and cross-discipline electromechanical engineering leadership.
Deep understanding of thermal systems, motion control, sensor integration, and machine intelligence.
Experience with requirements engineering, risk management, and certification processes.
Excellent English communication skills.
Willingness to travel internationally up to 20%.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MSc, MEng, or equivalent).
Experience in semiconductor backend equipment.

Responsibilities

Conduct system-level requirements analysis and author technical specifications and design briefs for electromechanical, automated, and robotic platforms, machines, and modules.
Lead evaluation and selection of technical concepts with domain experts based on functional, economic, and risk criteria.
Ensure architectural consistency and interface compatibility across subsystems and modules.
Guide development of subsystem concepts, requirements, and technical interfaces, and validate feasibility through analytical modeling and simulation.
Facilitate design reviews and ensure development progress aligns with system-level objectives.
Drive risk assessments and initiate pre-development or technology-validation activities as needed.
Ensure compliance with certification requirements, including CE, SEMI, and RoHS, and support preparation of documentation.
Support patent applications and protection of intellectual property arising from system innovations.
Present technical solutions and resolve system-level issues with customers and stakeholders.
Provide full system architectures for new concepts and/or customer-driven ideation when needed.
Moderate cross-functional concept-development workshops and guide structured decision-making under uncertainty.
Drive module and platform development schedules in alignment with program and project dates to meet demonstration and ship commitments.
Lead module- and system-level development for the EPG team under the Director of Product Engineering.
Mentor interdisciplinary engineering teams and support technical excellence, documentation, and knowledge transfer.