Systems Engineer IV

Salary: $ - $

Location: Gloucester, MA

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.

Applied Materials’ Sculpta® platform redefines precision patterning at the most advanced semiconductor technology nodes, where nanometer‑level accuracy directly impacts yield, performance, and cost. Built on deep innovation across mechanical design, motion control, vacuum systems, and system‑level integration, Sculpta solves problems conventional tools cannot. This is a role for senior engineers who want true ownership—driving critical system decisions and delivering fab‑ready hardware that runs reliably at scale in the world’s leading semiconductor fabs.

The Systems Engineer IV is a senior technical contributor responsible for end‑to‑end systems engineering ownership of complex semiconductor capital equipment subsystems. This role leads cross‑functional execution across mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and customer engineering teams to deliver reliable, high‑performance, and field‑ready systems.

The position plays a critical role in new product introduction (NPI), field issue resolution, and reliability improvement programs, translating customer and business requirements into robust system‑level solutions.

• Own system‑level requirements, architecture, and performance for assigned tool subsystems and assemblies.
• Lead system integration
  , trade studies, and design reviews to ensure alignment with reliability, manufacturability, serviceability, and customer requirements.
• Drive technical decision‑making across cross‑functional teams; influence without authority.

• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for complex field and factory issues using data‑driven methods (FA, DFMEA, FRACAS, Pareto, trend analysis).
• Define and execute corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), including hardware, software, and process changes.
• Own qualification and validation plans to ensure fixes meet performance, reliability, and customer acceptance criteria.

• Support NPI programs from concept through qualification, release, and field ramp.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (CIPs) focused on uptime, reliability, cost, and manufacturability.
• Partner with manufacturing and supply chain to enable scalable production and smooth ramp
  .

• Serve as the technical interface between engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and customer engineering.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to senior technical leadership and customers
  .
• Support customer escalations and on‑site activities as required.

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, or a related Engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in systems engineering, product development, or semiconductor capital equipment.
• Strong background in complex electro‑mechanical systems and system integration.
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause investigations and reliability improvements
  .
• Proven ability to operate independently on ambiguous, high‑impact problems
  .

• Experience with vacuum systems, robotics, motion control, or wafer‑handling subsystems
  .
• Familiarity with DFMEA, PFMEA, qualification methodologies
  , and structured problem‑solving tools.
• Experience supporting fab environments and customer‑facing escalations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence technical stakeholders.

Time Type: Full time

Employee Type: Assignee / Regular

Travel: Yes, 20% of the Time

Relocation Eligible: Yes

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.

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.