System Engineer
About this role
Shape the future of atomic-scale semiconductor metrology
At Nearfield Instruments, we develop breakthrough metrology systems that enable the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers to measure structures with atomic-scale precision at production throughput. Our systems combine advanced physics, mechatronics, precision mechanics, software, electronics, control engineering and data science into one highly complex product.
As a System Engineer, you are responsible for translating customer and product requirements into a balanced system architecture that delivers exceptional performance, reliability, manufacturability and serviceability. You own the technical system perspective throughout the entire product lifecycle; from concept and feasibility studies to development, integration, validation and customer qualification.
You are the technical connector between Product Management, Development & Engineering, Manufacturing, Applications and our customers, ensuring every subsystem contributes to one optimized machine.
What you will do
As a System Engineer, you will:
Own the system architecture and ensure compliance with customer and product requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
Translate customer needs into clear, measurable system requirements and performance specifications.
Define and maintain system performance budgets, interfaces and allocations across multiple engineering disciplines.
Lead technical trade-off studies, feasibility analyses and architecture decisions for complex system challenges.
Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation plans together with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Work closely with Product Management to evaluate customer requirements, market needs and future product capabilities.
Guide Development & Engineering teams by providing system-level requirements, architecture and technical direction.
Define verification, validation and qualification strategies together with Manufacturing, Integration & Test and Applications Engineering.
Support system integration, performance characterization and root cause analysis during development and customer qualification.
Drive technical decision-making while balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, reliability and serviceability.
Act as a technical point of contact for customers, supporting technical discussions, escalations and product improvements.
Contribute to the next generation of Nearfield's metrology platforms through continuous innovation and systems thinking.
You are a systems thinker who enjoys solving multidisciplinary engineering challenges and bringing complex technologies together into one high-performing product.
You also have:
A Master's degree or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Optics, Control Engineering, Image Processing or a related technical discipline.
5+ years of experience as a System Engineer within a complex high-tech environment.
Experience in semiconductor equipment, precision engineering, metrology or another advanced technology industry is highly preferred.
Strong understanding of multidisciplinary system architecture involving mechanics, electronics, software, physics and control systems.
Experience translating customer requirements into technical specifications and system architectures.
Proven experience developing top-down performance budgets and allocating system requirements across subsystems.
Experience performing technical trade-off studies, feasibility analyses and risk assessments.
Knowledge of verification, validation and system qualification methodologies.
Experience leading multidisciplinary technical discussions and coordinating development activities without direct hierarchical responsibility.
Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills with a structured approach to complex problem solving.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
A proactive, collaborative mindset and strong sense of ownership.
Fluency in English, both written and spoken.