Lead System Engineer (f/m/x)
About this role
Your Role:
As part of the Systems Engineering Team in the Semiconductor Fab Solutions division of Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, you will work in an interdisciplinary environment from systems engineering to product development. In this role you will lead the Systems Engineering activities for the development of a wafer inspection and analysis tool from system design to qualification.
Your main focus areas are:
Take technical ownership for the Systems Engineering of a novel inspection and analysis tool for semiconductor wafers
Lead system design, requirements definition, and architecture across mechanics, optics, electronics, software, controls, sensors, and infrastructure
Define and maintain system requirements, interface descriptions, and the system-level test and validation strategy in close collaboration with product management and product architects
Closely collaborate with the Lead Software Architect to enable efficient hardware-software co-development, aligning system architecture, control concepts, and data flows across all layers
Coordinate interdisciplinary development across systems engineering, product development, project management, and key stakeholders
Translate system performance targets (resolution, throughput, stability, availability, reliability) into clear technical requirements and verify them through test concepts
Drive feasibility studies, concept evaluations, and trade-off analyses for critical subsystems and interfaces
Drive system development and qualification from demonstrator and prototype phases to a series product
Assess and mitigate technical risks, manage change requests, and ensure end-to-end traceability from customer use cases to implemented functions
Serve as the technical point of contact for the product within the project, representing System Engineering in reviews, design boards, and customer discussions
Promote technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the System Engineering community
Your Profile:
Degree in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, physics, or a related field, plus several years of relevant professional experience; PhD is a plus
Experience developing complex systems and machines in industrial metrology; ideally in the semiconductor environment
Strong expertise in system architecture and the development of modular solutions
Preferably expertise in Systems Engineering Methods
Analytical mindset, structured working style, and strong problem-solving skills
Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with interdisciplinary stakeholders
Programming and software development experience is a plus
Willingness to work in a highly dynamic work environment and to actively shape change
Very good English skills
Willingness to travel
Your ZEISS Recruiting Team:
Georgios TanoglouCompany at a glance
ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise operating in the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In the previous fiscal year, the ZEISS Group generated annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros in its four segments Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets (September 30, 2025).
For its customers, ZEISS develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative solutions for industrial metrology and quality assurance, microscopy solutions for the life sciences and materials research, and medical technology solutions for diagnostics and treatment in ophthalmology and microsurgery. The name ZEISS is also synonymous with the world's leading lithography optics, which are used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. There is global demand for trendsetting ZEISS brand products such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses, and binoculars.
With a portfolio aligned with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare, and Smart Production and a strong brand, ZEISS is shaping the future of technology and constantly advancing the world of optics and related fields with its solutions. The company's significant, sustainable investments in research and development lay the foundation for the success and continued expansion of ZEISS' technology and market leadership. ZEISS invests 15 percent of its revenue in research and development – this high level of expenditure has a long tradition at ZEISS and is also an investment in the future.
With over 46,600 employees, ZEISS is active globally in around 50 countries with more than 60 sales and service locations, around 40 research and development facilities, and 30 production facilities worldwide.
Learn more about ZEISS: www.zeiss.com/about
Data privacy: www.zeiss.com/data-protection
Imprint: www.zeiss.com/publisher
This is ZEISS's official LinkedIn account. It follows the ZEISS Netiquette: www.zeiss.com/netiquette
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