Lead system engineer (m/f/x)

Salary: 45.000 - 70.000 € per year Requirements: 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 Responsibilities: Take technical ownership for the Systems Engineering of a novel X-ray-based 3D inspection and metrology system for semiconductor wafers Lead system design, requirements definition, and architecture across mechanics, optics/X-ray, 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 Technologies: 3D Architect Hardware Excel LESS More: We are ZEISS, working in a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. We are supported by a special ownership structure and the long-term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together. We value diversity and welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity. This role is part of the Systems Engineering Team in the Semiconductor Fab Solutions division of Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, and we offer the chance to help develop an X-ray-based 3D semiconductor inspection and metrology tool from system design through qualification. last updated 25 week of 2026