Senior Systems Architect, Precision Stage V - (E5)

Role Summary

Owns the end-to-end architecture of high-precision motion stages and their mechatronic subsystems, spanning mechanical structure, actuation, sensing, metrology, and motion control. Sets the technical direction for stage performance — translating positioning, dynamic, and throughput requirements into a coherent mechanical/control co-design — and serves as the senior technical authority guiding the multidisciplinary team that executes it.

Key Responsibilities

Completes definition and design of complex precision-stage mechanical components, modules, and mechatronic sub-systems, treating mechanics and controls as a co-designed system rather than separate disciplines.

Defines the control system architecture for precision stages — servo loop topology, loop partitioning, feedforward strategy, sensor/actuator selection, and the mechanical/control trade-offs that govern positioning accuracy, repeatability, and settling time.

Sets and drives the technical direction for stage controls: establishes the controls roadmap, error budgets, and quantitative performance targets (nanometer-class positioning, dynamic following error, settling time, throughput), and directs the engineers working against them.

Regarded as the technical expert in precision motion and stage control. Demonstrates in-depth expertise in own discipline (mechanics + motion control) and broad knowledge of adjacent disciplines (electrical, physics, algorithms, software) within the function.

Anticipates business and regulatory issues; recommends product, process, or service improvements.

Solves unique and complex problems with broad impact on the business; requires conceptual and innovative thinking to develop solutions across the mechanical–control boundary.

Impacts the direction and resource allocation for program, project, or services; works within general functional policies and industry guidelines.

Contributes to the system engineering specification both within precision stage/control expertise and broadening into other disciplines.

Develops dynamic models of stage mechanics (structural dynamics, resonances, mass/stiffness budgets) and integrates them with control design, including active vibration isolation, disturbance rejection, and damping strategies.

Specifies and integrates position feedback and metrology (laser interferometers, encoders, capacitive/optical sensors) together with real-time control hardware (motion controllers, FPGA/DSP, drives, amplifiers) and the full sensor-to-actuator signal chain.

Defines, tunes, and validates multi-axis servo loops, feedforward, and trajectory/motion profiles to meet positioning and dynamic performance under production conditions.

Ensures designs meet Market Requirement Specifications (MRS). Coordinates with project marketing and management to understand subsystem requirements.

Chairs architecture brainstorming meetings and drives the systems process to down-select to a final stage architecture, including the control system architecture and the mechanical/control partition.

Conducts detailed engineering analysis of subsystems — control-loop stability and bandwidth analysis, error budgeting, modal/structural dynamics, thermal and dynamic error sources — using deep design knowledge in field of expertise and broadening into other disciplines.

Assists in creating concepts for architectural design approaches. Evaluates competing architectures (mechanical and control) to recommend the best overall system solution.

Builds and qualifies prototypes of new stage designs, or procures entire subsystems from outsourced suppliers and tests for compliance with detailed specifications, including control performance qualification.

Identifies and troubleshoots difficult engineering problems — including servo instability, control-loop tuning, vibration, and dynamic error sources — as well as serviceability and manufacturability.

Partners with electrical, firmware, and software teams on real-time control implementation, sampling/latency budgets, and controller-to-drive integration.

Supports system integration during assembly and final test of new product designs.

Performs and coordinates tests per internal and industry-accepted reliability specifications; makes suitable design or operational changes as required.

Supports system engineering projects with a substantial mix of electrical, mechanical, physics, controls, algorithms, and software design, and understands the underlying system implications.

Provides remote and onsite support to field support personnel as required.

Technically leads and/or executes engineering projects, including development of key suppliers.

Drives successful completion of tool safety standards (SEMI S2/S8/S14, NFPA 79, F47, CE, EMI/EMC) working with 3rd-party evaluators.

Prepares summary reports for internal and external audiences; presents findings, data, and conclusions to technical experts.

Qualifications

BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Controls with 10–15+ years of experience. MS preferred.

Demonstrated knowledge of system engineering, control theory, servo/feedback control design, and multi-axis motion control, applied to high-precision motion stages and stage subsystems (chuck, substrate/wafer handling, interferometry, metrology, etc.).

Hands-on experience with mechatronic co-design — system identification, dynamic modeling, control-loop tuning, feedforward design, and active vibration isolation/damping for nanometer-class positioning.

Familiarity with motion control hardware and real-time control implementation: motion controllers, FPGA/DSP-based real-time systems, drives, amplifiers, and position feedback/metrology sensors (interferometers, encoders, capacitive sensors).

Mechanical engineering experience in component selection, building, testing, troubleshooting, and releasing semiconductor or other similar-scale capital equipment.

Knowledge of SEMI S2/S8/S14, NFPA 79, F47, CE, and EMI/EMC safety standards.

In-depth knowledge of 3D CAD design tools (e.g., Inventor) and 2D CAD drawing tools, including but not limited to Siemens NX Unigraphics, Inventor, AutoCAD, etc.

Working knowledge of materials and components used in semiconductor wafer manufacturing equipment, materials characterization methods, and failure analysis of materials/systems.

Experience supporting manufacturing and service organizations through training, documentation (procedures, OMS, BKMs, etc.), and troubleshooting.

Proficiency in modeling, simulation, and data analysis tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Excel, or equivalent.

Strong time management skills with an emphasis on managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Strong communication and organizational skills and a sense of collaboration.

Energy and desire to thrive in a start-up-like environment.

Managerial experience a plus, opportunity for future growth.

What We Offer

At Applied, we prioritize the well-being of you and your family. Your happiness, health, and resiliency are at the core of our benefits and wellness programs. Our robust total rewards package makes it easier to take care of your whole self and your whole family. 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.

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Additional Information

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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.

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