Systems Engineer IV - Electrical Interconnections and Subsystem Communications

About the role

Applied Materials is hiring a Systems Engineer IV (E4) in Santa Clara, California, to own the electrical interconnect architecture and subsystem communications for a complex, high-performance optical system. The engineer contributes across the full product development cycle, from customer and system requirements through specification, design, prototyping, verification, validation, manufacturing, installation and field support. The role requires deep knowledge of electrical and electromechanical systems in a volume manufacturing environment.

Key responsibilities

• Define the system-level electrical interconnect architecture: harness and cable topology, connector and pin-out standards, power distribution, grounding and shielding, and routing constraints for optical, motion and substrate-handling subsystems.
• Derive electrical and communication requirements from customer and system requirements, document them in interface control documents (ICDs) and feed back to electrical, software and mechanical design engineers.
• Own subsystem communication architecture and protocols (Ethernet/GigE, EtherCAT, CAN, serial, USB, camera and frame-grabber links), including timing, synchronization, bandwidth and latency budgets.
• Lead interconnect and communications subsystem projects, planning, scheduling and monitoring them with cross-functional teams.
• Develop error and noise budgets (EMI/EMC, signal integrity, power integrity, timing) and define requirements validated during system alpha testing.
• Collaborate with suppliers on critical cable assemblies, connectors and communication hardware, and run system test plans for prototype acceptance and qualification.
• Run design-of-experiments to validate error budgets and mitigate risks such as intermittent connections, noise coupling, bus errors, thermal and flex-life limits.
• Troubleshoot complex electrical, communication and HW/SW integration issues in manufacturing and the field using oscilloscopes, protocol analyzers and system logs.
• Implement diagnostics, self-tests and calibrations for communication links and interconnect health, and support manufacturing and customer site teams.
• Drive design-for-manufacturing and design-for-service, including documentation, training and change control, and mentor junior engineers.

Required profile

• BS, MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience with a BS, 5+ years with an MS, or 2+ years with a PhD.
• Hands-on experience designing, building and debugging electrical interconnects and electromechanical systems (cable/harness design, connectors, power distribution, grounding and shielding).
• Experience reading and creating electrical schematics, wiring diagrams and interface control documents.
• Strong troubleshooting skills, including subsystem-level software debugging from error messages and logs.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines, manage multiple projects and drive parallel progress.

Required skills

• Industrial and embedded communication protocols: Ethernet, EtherCAT, CAN, RS-232/485, USB, camera interfaces.
• Test and measurement equipment: oscilloscopes, logic and protocol analyzers, DMMs, network analyzers.
• Data analysis and visualization, with scripting in Python or Matlab.
• Preferred: EMI/EMC and signal integrity analysis (SEMI S2, CE), semiconductor equipment, SECS/GEM, EDA or harness design tools (EPLAN, SolidWorks Electrical, Zuken), high-speed imaging data paths, and SW automation or AI tool experience.

What we offer

• Salary of $161,000 to $221,000.
• Comprehensive benefits package, with possible eligibility for a bonus and stock award program.
• Supportive work culture focused on learning and career growth.