System Engineer

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.