Principal Systems Engineer Jobs
Principal Systems Engineer jobs are open across aerospace, defense, enterprise software, and telecommunications, from senior engineer to staff and principal levels, with specializations in embedded systems, distributed architecture, and hardware-software integration. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Step into a career with ASM, where cutting edge technology meets collaborative culture.
For over 55 years ASM has been ahead of what’s next, at the forefront of innovation and what’s technologically possible. With more than 4,500 ASMers representing 70 nationalities, our people and our advanced semiconductor devices are playing a crucial role in trends such as 5G, cloud computing, AI, and autonomous driving. But we’re more than just a tech company. We value diversity, inclusion and sustainability as we strive to make a positive impact on the world. Our development programs help support your growth, shaping your future and pushing the boundaries of innovation to unleash potential.
We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering to join the Sensor Technology Group. This role combines deep technical expertise, technology leadership, and cross-functional influence to drive the development, qualification, deployment, and continuous improvement of advanced sensing and laser-enabled technologies for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Job Mission
The Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering is a recognized technical leader responsible for the development, integration, qualification, and deployment of advanced sensing and laser-enabled technologies across ASM product platforms. This role focuses on laser-based process solutions, including laser heating, laser-assisted pyrometry, wafer leveling, wafer centering, and optical metrology, while leveraging sensor data to improve process understanding, equipment performance, and product outcomes.
Working closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Software, Process, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering teams, this individual will define system requirements, develop innovative measurement and control solutions, and provide technical leadership for multidisciplinary projects from concept through deployment. The position requires strong systems thinking, expertise in optics, sensors, lasers, and data analytics, and the ability to translate emerging technologies into differentiated product capabilities that support ASM's long-term technology roadmap.
Laser Technologies Leadership
- Lead development and integration of laser-enabled technologies for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- Define system architectures, performance requirements, interfaces, and validation strategies for laser heating, laser-assisted temperature measurement, wafer leveling, and wafer centering subsystems.
- Evaluate and select laser sources, beam-delivery architectures, optical components, and metrology technologies for advanced process-control applications.
- Drive development of laser-assisted pyrometry solutions to improve temperature measurement accuracy under varying emissivity and process conditions.
- Develop laser-based solutions for wafer alignment, leveling, centering, and geometry measurement applications.
- Lead proof-of-concept activities, technology demonstrations, and product qualification programs.
- Support thermal characterization, process optimization, and advanced process-control initiatives through innovative laser technologies.
- Identify emerging laser technologies and assess their applicability to future ASM products.
- Establish best practices for laser subsystem integration, characterization, reliability, safety, and performance validation.
- Influence product roadmaps through strategic laser technology development and technical leadership.
Preferred Qualifications (Additional)
- MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- Experience with laser-based measurement systems, laser heating technologies, and optical metrology systems.
- Experience with pyrometry, thermal metrology, wafer alignment, laser triangulation, or optical positioning systems.
- Knowledge of laser beam delivery, optical design, laser safety, and semiconductor thermal processing applications.
- Experience integrating lasers and optical subsystems into semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- Demonstrated technical leadership of complex, multidisciplinary development programs.
What Makes You Successful (Additional)
- Strong understanding of laser technologies and their application to process control, thermal management, temperature measurement, and wafer positioning.
- Ability to connect laser-based measurements with process behavior and equipment performance.
- Demonstrated experience developing innovative laser-enabled solutions that improve semiconductor manufacturing outcomes.
- Strong experimental and analytical skills in optics, thermal systems, and precision metrology.
- Ability to influence technical direction across multiple organizations without direct authority.
- Proven track record of converting technology concepts into deployed product capabilities.
Apply today to be part of what’s next.
We make the tech that enables the chips in devices which improve lives around the world. We do this with an eye to the future, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through cutting-edge innovation, and driving the next wave of technological breakthroughs that shape how we live, work, and connect.
To learn more about ASM, find us at asm.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
ASM is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify or expression, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Step into a career with ASM, where cutting edge technology meets collaborative culture.
For over 55 years ASM has been ahead of what’s next, at the forefront of innovation and what’s technologically possible. With more than 4,500 ASMers representing 70 nationalities, our people and our advanced semiconductor devices are playing a crucial role in trends such as 5G, cloud computing, AI, and autonomous driving. But we’re more than just a tech company. We value diversity, inclusion and sustainability as we strive to make a positive impact on the world. Our development programs help support your growth, shaping your future and pushing the boundaries of innovation to unleash potential.
We are seeking a highly motivated Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering to join the Sensor Technology Group. This role combines deep technical expertise, technology leadership, and cross-functional influence to drive the development, qualification, deployment, and continuous improvement of advanced sensing and laser-enabled technologies for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Job Mission
The Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering is a recognized technical leader responsible for the development, integration, qualification, and deployment of advanced sensing and laser-enabled technologies across ASM product platforms. This role focuses on laser-based process solutions, including laser heating, laser-assisted pyrometry, wafer leveling, wafer centering, and optical metrology, while leveraging sensor data to improve process understanding, equipment performance, and product outcomes.
Working closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Firmware, Software, Process, Manufacturing, and Product Engineering teams, this individual will define system requirements, develop innovative measurement and control solutions, and provide technical leadership for multidisciplinary projects from concept through deployment. The position requires strong systems thinking, expertise in optics, sensors, lasers, and data analytics, and the ability to translate emerging technologies into differentiated product capabilities that support ASM's long-term technology roadmap.
Laser Technologies Leadership
- Lead development and integration of laser-enabled technologies for semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- Define system architectures, performance requirements, interfaces, and validation strategies for laser heating, laser-assisted temperature measurement, wafer leveling, and wafer centering subsystems.
- Evaluate and select laser sources, beam-delivery architectures, optical components, and metrology technologies for advanced process-control applications.
- Drive development of laser-assisted pyrometry solutions to improve temperature measurement accuracy under varying emissivity and process conditions.
- Develop laser-based solutions for wafer alignment, leveling, centering, and geometry measurement applications.
- Lead proof-of-concept activities, technology demonstrations, and product qualification programs.
- Support thermal characterization, process optimization, and advanced process-control initiatives through innovative laser technologies.
- Identify emerging laser technologies and assess their applicability to future ASM products.
- Establish best practices for laser subsystem integration, characterization, reliability, safety, and performance validation.
- Influence product roadmaps through strategic laser technology development and technical leadership.
Preferred Qualifications (Additional)
- MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
- Experience with laser-based measurement systems, laser heating technologies, and optical metrology systems.
- Experience with pyrometry, thermal metrology, wafer alignment, laser triangulation, or optical positioning systems.
- Knowledge of laser beam delivery, optical design, laser safety, and semiconductor thermal processing applications.
- Experience integrating lasers and optical subsystems into semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- Demonstrated technical leadership of complex, multidisciplinary development programs.
What Makes You Successful (Additional)
- Strong understanding of laser technologies and their application to process control, thermal management, temperature measurement, and wafer positioning.
- Ability to connect laser-based measurements with process behavior and equipment performance.
- Demonstrated experience developing innovative laser-enabled solutions that improve semiconductor manufacturing outcomes.
- Strong experimental and analytical skills in optics, thermal systems, and precision metrology.
- Ability to influence technical direction across multiple organizations without direct authority.
- Proven track record of converting technology concepts into deployed product capabilities.
Apply today to be part of what’s next.
We make the tech that enables the chips in devices which improve lives around the world. We do this with an eye to the future, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through cutting-edge innovation, and driving the next wave of technological breakthroughs that shape how we live, work, and connect.
To learn more about ASM, find us at asm.com and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
ASM is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identify or expression, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Find JobsPrincipal Systems Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Northrop Grumman270
- BAE Systems USA70
- Raytheon56
- Collins Aerospace25
- SAIC14
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software19
- Electronics & Hardware10
- Aerospace & Defense5
- Manufacturing4
- Consulting & Professional Services4
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal systems engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field
- Ten or more years of experience in systems engineering with demonstrated leadership on complex programs
- Proficiency in systems modeling tools such as Cameo, DOORS, or Rhapsody
- Experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering methods across the full development lifecycle
- Active or adjudicable security clearance for defense and government contractor roles
- Familiarity with industry standards such as IEEE 15288 or MIL-STD-499 for systems engineering processes
Tips for Your Principal Systems Engineer Job Search
Align your resume to system-level scope
Principal systems engineer roles expect evidence of end-to-end ownership, not just component work. Rewrite bullet points to show you drove requirements across subsystems, resolved cross-functional trade-offs, and delivered integrated solutions at scale.
Highlight model-based design experience explicitly
Many job descriptions filter for MBSE tools like Cameo, DOORS, or Rhapsody before a recruiter reads your resume. If you have hands-on experience with any of these, name the tool and the program context in your first page.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists principal systems engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by domain clearance requirements
Defense and aerospace principal systems engineer postings frequently require an active security clearance. Filter your search by this criterion early so you're not deep in a process before discovering a requirement you can't meet on the hiring timeline.
Prepare a systems trade study you led
Interviewers at the principal level typically ask you to walk through a real trade-off decision: architecture choice, interface definition, or requirements conflict resolution. Have one concrete example ready with the competing constraints, your analysis method, and the outcome.
Negotiate against total compensation, not base alone
Principal systems engineer offers at defense primes and aerospace contractors often include clearance bonuses, program incentives, and equity or profit-sharing that vary widely. Ask for the full compensation breakdown before comparing or accepting any offer.
Principal Systems Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most principal systems engineers?
The companies hiring the most principal systems engineers right now include Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems USA, and Raytheon, with the largest share of openings in California, Colorado, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is concentrated in aerospace, defense contracting, and enterprise technology sectors.
How many principal systems engineer jobs are remote?
About 40% of principal systems engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies significantly by industry. Roles in enterprise software and cloud infrastructure tend to offer more remote flexibility, while defense and aerospace positions tied to classified programs or hardware labs are typically on-site.
How do you become a principal systems engineer?
Most principal systems engineers start with a degree in systems, electrical, mechanical, or computer engineering, then spend years as a systems or lead engineer taking on progressively larger integration and architecture responsibilities. Reaching the principal level usually requires leading trade studies, owning interface definitions across subsystems, mentoring junior engineers, and demonstrating independent technical judgment on a full-program lifecycle.
Can you get hired as a principal systems engineer without direct experience at that level?
It's possible if your experience as a lead or senior systems engineer already includes principal-level work in practice. Focus your resume on scope: programs you owned end-to-end, stakeholders you aligned across organizations, and technical decisions you made without escalation. Smaller companies and startups are more likely to title-promote based on demonstrated capability than large primes with rigid grade structures.
What does the principal systems engineer interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a recruiter screen followed by a technical phone interview focused on your systems engineering methodology and domain experience. Later rounds usually include a panel with engineering leads and program managers who ask you to walk through a past system architecture decision or trade study. Some employers add a written exercise or presentation on a hypothetical design problem before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to principal systems engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to principal systems engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and target domain, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 935+ Principal Systems Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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