System Design Engineer

KLA•Milpitas, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated System Engineer to lead the development and integration of complex inspection, metrology, or advanced instrumentation systems. The successful candidate will work across optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and algorithm disciplines to define system requirements, manage performance budgets, resolve technical issues, and drive product development from concept through release.

Requirements

M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
5+ years of experience in complex system development, preferably in semiconductor, optical instrumentation, robotics, aerospace, medical device, or advanced manufacturing industries.
Strong understanding of: Optical systems and imaging fundamentals
System performance analysis and error budgeting
Mechanical design principles and tolerance analysis
Mechatronic system integration
Experience translating customer and product requirements into system specifications.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with optical inspection, wafer metrology, machine vision, scientific cameras, photodetectors, laser-based instrumentation, high-speed signal processing, and semiconductor process control systems.
Experience with precision optics, illumination, imaging systems, lasers, or metrology equipment.
Knowledge of finite element analysis (FEA), structural dynamics, vibration control, and thermal analysis.
Familiarity with requirements management and systems engineering methodologies.
Experience using modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Python, Zemax, Code V, SolidWorks, and/or ANSYS.
Experience leading cross-functional technical teams.
Demonstrated experience using AI-assisted engineering and productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, Devin(Windsurf), or similar platforms).
Ability to leverage AI tools for engineering analysis, design reviews, requirements generation, risk assessment, documentation, and troubleshooting.
Interest in applying AI technologies to accelerate system development, improve design quality, and enhance engineering productivity.
Systems thinker capable of balancing subsystem performance against overall product objectives.
Strong technical leadership and influence without authority.
Proactive with a strong sense of project ownership, urgency, and accountability in delivering high-quality engineering solutions.
Curious, innovative, and eager to leverage emerging technologies, including AI, to improve engineering effectiveness.
Effective collaborator in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary development environment.

Responsibilities

Define and manage system-level requirements, architecture, and performance specifications.
Develop and maintain comprehensive system error budgets, including optical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and environmental contributors.
Lead root-cause analysis and resolution of system performance issues.
Collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, software, and product engineering teams to optimize overall system performance.
Conduct trade studies and evaluate design alternatives balancing performance, cost, reliability, and manufacturability.
Support system integration, verification, validation, and product release activities.
Communicate technical findings and recommendations to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.