Electrical Systems Engineer Jobs in Santa Clara, CA

Job Description

We are seeking an Electrical Systems Architect to lead the platform-level electronics architecture for Agilent’s LC/MS products (e.g., Ultivo LC/TQ, Pro iQ / Pro iQ Plus, LC/MSD iQ). This is a highly cross-functional, systems-level role responsible for defining how distributed electronics, embedded systems, and mechanical assemblies integrate into a cohesive, high-performance instrument.

You will operate as the technical authority for electronics architecture—owning system partitioning, interface standards, and long-term platform design decisions across multiple product generations. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives at the system level, enjoys integrating across disciplines, and wants to shape the next generation of mass spectrometry platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Electronics Architecture

• Own and define the end-to-end electronics architecture for LC/MS platforms, including controller/main boards, distributed modules/daughter cards, interconnects, and system interfaces.

• Define system partitioning, interface standards, and reusable design patterns spanning multiple products and generations.

• Lead architecture tradeoffs balancing performance, reliability, serviceability, cost, and schedule.

• Drive architecture documentation and clarity (e.g., interface definitions, system diagrams, design patterns, and integration guidelines).

• Collaborate with mechanical engineering to enable robust packaging and interconnect solutions, including cable-free / board-to-board connectivity where appropriate.

• Define system-level interconnect requirements (signal integrity, grounding, shielding, accessibility/service).

Cross-Functional Integration & Technical Leadership

• Act as the primary electronics architecture interface to mechanical, firmware/embedded software, physics/chemistry, and scientific stakeholders.

• Lead system-level design reviews, architecture reviews, and integration readiness assessments.

• Drive resolution of complex integration issues during system development, lab prototyping, and verification/validation.

• Coordinate and align specialized electrical sub-teams (e.g., RF/driver board engineers) toward a coherent platform architecture.

Embedded Systems, Telemetry & Diagnostics Integration

• Partner with firmware/embedded software teams to define hardware-software boundaries and enable robust system behavior (controls, instrumentation, fault handling).

• Ensure architecture supports telemetry, diagnostics, and event logging that feed into FW/ESW and enable serviceability/maintainability and field uptime.

• Define integration and test strategies from an architecture standpoint (what needs to be observable, testable, diagnosable).

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field (or equivalent practical experience).

Experience

• 8+ years in electronics systems architecture and/or system-level hardware design for complex electromechanical products.

• Demonstrated ownership of platform-level electronics architecture (multi-board, distributed systems, cross-functional integration).

• Experience coordinating cross-functional technical work across electronics, mechanical, and firmware/embedded software teams.

• Strong background in distributed electronics, mixed-signal systems, and PCB design.

• Experience designing complex multilayer PCBs (e.g., 8+ layers) and leading design reviews.

Required Technical Skills

• System-level electronics architecture: partitioning, interface definition, platform standards.

• Distributed embedded hardware and low-level interfaces (e.g., SPI, I²C, UART, etc.).

• System integration, lab bring-up, debug, and reliability troubleshooting.

• Telemetry/diagnostics mindset: designing for observability, maintainability, and serviceability.

• Proficiency with schematic capture and PCB design tools (tool-agnostic).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with analytical instrumentation (LC/MS, mass spectrometry, chromatography) or similar high-performance scientific/industrial systems.

• Experience working alongside RF or specialized driver electronics (e.g., drivers for quadrupoles, ion guides, or analogous subsystems).

• Familiarity with FPGA/SoC architectures (e.g., Xilinx Zynq or similar) and hardware/firmware co-design (nice-to-have, not required).

• Experience with board-to-board interconnect strategies and cable-reduction approaches in compact systems.

Professional Attributes

• Strong systems thinking; comfortable operating across disciplines and ambiguity.

• Excellent technical communication and cross-functional influence.

• High ownership and accountability; comfortable making consequential architecture decisions.

• Strong collaborative mindset

Location & Travel

This role is based at the Agilent Headquarters in Santa Clara, CA. Minimum 3 days/week onsite (hybrid).

Additional Details

This job has a full time weekly schedule. Applications for this job will be accepted until at least June 22, 2026 or until the job is no longer posted.

The full-time equivalent pay range for this position is $153,823.00 - $269,550.00/yr plus eligibility for bonus, stock and benefits. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. During the hiring process, a recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for a preferred location. Pay and benefit information by country are available at: https://careers.agilent.com/locations

Agilent Technologies, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity and merit-based employer that values individuals of all backgrounds at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases. Agilent Technologies, Inc., is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive in the workplace where everyone is welcome, and strives to support candidates with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance with any part of the application or interview process or have questions about workplace accessibility, please email job_posting@agilent.com or contact +1-262-754-5030. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please visit www.agilent.com/en/accessibility.

Travel Required:

No

Shift:

Day

Duration:

No End Date

Job Function:

R&D