Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Posted via Workday

Staff System Design Engineer

Posted Oct 27, 2026

Role at a glance

Salary
$135.9K – $170K/yr
Location
Fremont, California, United States
Work arrangement
On-site
Employment
Full-time
Experience
8+ years of system design experience.
Education
Bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related discipline.

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Role Summary

AI-generated

This Staff System Design Engineer role in the Electrical Failure Analysis business unit focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing high-performance optical systems for semiconductor failure analysis, including fault isolation with infrared microscopy, laser stimulation, and photon emission detection. The role is fully onsite at the Fremont, CA site.

What You'll Do

  • Lead the design and optimization of optical subsystems, including infrared imaging for silicon inspection, laser-based stimulation and...
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate product requirements into prototypes and conduct experiments to...
  • Investigate applications of existing technologies in other domains with product applications engineers and marketing
  • Support operations and applications teams in resolving customer issues
  • Conduct proof-of-concept studies and report findings to the team

Generated from the employer's posting. Verify important details before applying.

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Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of system design experience with optics, electronics, and laser systems.

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related discipline
  • 8+ years of system design experience
  • Hands-on expertise in designing, setting up, and conducting experiments involving optics, electronics, measurement systems, and motion...
  • Experience with high-resolution microscopy and scanning systems
  • Strong hands-on experience with laser systems and beam delivery, IR optics and imaging through silicon, and photon detection systems...
  • Deep understanding of systems engineering principles
  • Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for data analysis, statistical methods, and automation
  • Familiarity with CAD tools, such as SolidWorks, and design for manufacturability (DFM) principles

Preferred

  • Familiarity with semiconductor failure analysis techniques such as LIVA, OBIRCH, and TIVA
  • Experience with Python

Original job description

Content provided by the employer

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Office

Job Description

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue exceeding $40 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Our team of more than 100,000 colleagues delivers innovative technologies, purchasing convenience, and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands. For more information, visit www.thermofisher.com.

 

Location

This is a fully onsite role based at our Fremont, CA site. 

 

The Materials and Structural Analysis Division designs, manufactures, and supports high-performance microscopy workflows that provide images and answers at micro-, nano-, and picometer scales. The team combines expertise in electron, ion, and light microscopy with application knowledge in materials science, life sciences, electronics, and natural resources to help customers advance discovery and address global challenges.

 

How will you make an impact?

As a Staff System Design Engineer in the Electrical Failure Analysis (EFA) business unit, you will design, develop, and optimize advanced systems for semiconductor failure analysis, integrated circuit analysis, and circuit editing.  This position focuses on high-performance optical systems for fault isolation, including infrared microscopy, laser stimulation, and photon emission detection. Working with R&D, systems engineering, electronics, software, and hardware teams, you will develop precise, manufacturable solutions for next-generation semiconductor analysis tools.  The ideal candidate brings expertise in system design, laser-based instrumentation, and hands-on experimental validation, along with the ability to lead complex product development in a global, matrixed organization.

 

What will you do?

Design and develop electrical failure analysis tools, with responsibilities that include:

  • Lead the design and optimization of optical subsystems, including infrared (IR) imaging for silicon inspection, laser-based stimulation and probing (LIVA, OBIRCH, TIVA), and photon emission detection in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) ranges.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate product requirements into prototypes that meet specifications, and conduct experiments to validate performance.
  • Investigate applications of existing technologies in other domains, working with product applications engineers and marketing to identify unmet needs and requirements.
  • Support operations and applications teams in resolving customer issues.
  • Conduct proof-of-concept studies and report findings to the team.

 

How will you get here?

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related discipline.

 

Experience

  • 8+ years of system design experience.
  • Hands-on expertise in designing, setting up, and conducting experiments involving optics, electronics, measurement systems, and motion systems.
  • Experience with high-resolution microscopy and scanning systems.
  • Strong hands-on experience with laser systems and beam delivery, IR optics and imaging through silicon, and photon detection systems such as photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), avalanche photodiodes (APDs), and cameras.

 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

  • Deep understanding of systems engineering principles.
  • Familiarity with semiconductor failure analysis techniques such as LIVA, OBIRCH, and TIVA is preferred.
  • Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar tools for data analysis, statistical methods, and automation. Experience with Python is an advantage.
  • Familiarity with CAD tools, such as SolidWorks, and design for manufacturability (DFM) principles.
  • Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, with a creative, resourceful approach to problem solving.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
  • Self-motivated, organized, customer-focused, and comfortable taking on challenges.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in California is $135,900.00–$170,000.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

  • A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

  • Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

  • At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

  • Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

  • Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards

Thermo Fisher Scientific

About the company

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Large Enterprise

Thermo Fisher Scientific is a global leader in serving science, providing a wide range of analytical instruments, reagents, and software solutions for healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences research. With a commitment to innovation and quality, the company enables customers to make significant advancements in scientific discovery and healthcare diagnostics. Thermo Fisher operates in more than 50 countries and employs over 80,000 people, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at enhancing global health and safety. Through its broad portfolio of brands and technologies, the company plays a vital role in accelerating life-changing research and improving patient outcomes worldwide.