Systems Engineer IV

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology. 

What We Offer

Salary:

$140,000.00 - $192,500.00

Location:

Gloucester,MA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. 

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. 

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.

Role Summary

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.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Ownership & Technical Leadership

• 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.

Reliability & Issue Resolution

• 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.

New Product Introduction (NPI) & Continuous Improvement

• 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.

Cross‑Functional & Customer Engagement

• 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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Additional Information

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. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

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.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at [email protected], or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.