Systems Engineer III – Optics

About the role

Applied Materials seeks a Systems Engineer III to design, integrate, and optimize high‑performance optical systems that support semiconductor and advanced display manufacturing. You will work across the product development cycle, from specification through field support, in a data‑driven, cross‑functional environment.

Key responsibilities

• Identify scope, constraints, and risks for design, fabrication, test, and volume production of optical subsystems such as illumination, imaging optics, lens assemblies, and sensor channels.
• Derive optical subsystem specifications from customer and system requirements and provide input to design engineers.
• Develop error budgets for resolution, focus, alignment, throughput and define validation requirements for system alpha testing.
• Plan and execute optical alignment, calibration, and characterization of prototypes and full‑system builds, maintaining accurate records.
• Design and run test plans, DOE experiments, and troubleshoot system‑level issues in manufacturing and the field.
• Collaborate with suppliers on critical sub‑assemblies and support quality activities and failure analysis.

Required profile

• BS, MS, or PhD in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 2+ years of relevant experience with a BS (or 0 years with an MS/PhD).
• Hands‑on experience assembling, aligning, and calibrating opto‑mechanical instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of geometric and physical optics, imaging, illumination and optical metrology.

Required skills

• Use of optical test and measurement equipment (power meters, spectrometers, interferometers, beam profilers, alignment tools).
• Design and execution of test plans and feasibility studies.
• Data analysis and visualization with Python or Matlab.
• Reading engineering drawings, optical prescriptions and schematics.
• Optical modeling tools such as Zemax OpticStudio or Code V.

What we offer

• Salary range $138,000 – $190,000 per year.
• Supportive work culture with opportunities for learning, development and career growth.