The Role
Lead system-level design and integration of complex robotic and mechatronic platforms. Translate requirements into robust architectures, perform feasibility modeling, manage cross-functional teams, ensure certification compliance, mitigate risk, mentor engineers, protect IP, and drive schedules to meet demonstrations and ship dates.
Summary Generated by Built In
- MAIN OBJECTIVES
- Translate complex customer and market requirements into robust system concepts that balance performance, reliability, usability, and cost of ownership.
- Drive system-level innovation by integrating mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains into cohesive machine platforms.
- Moderate cross-functional concept development workshops and guide teams through structured decision-making under uncertainty.
- Evaluate feasibility and risk of new concepts using first-principles physics and empirical modeling.
- Ensure system-level traceability from requirements to implementation and maintain architectural integrity throughout the development lifecycle.
- Act as a technical authority and mentor for interdisciplinary engineering teams during the development of complex mechatronic systems.
- Drive development schedules of module and platform development projects aligned to overall program and project dates to meet committed demonstration and ship dates.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct system-level requirement analysis and author technical specifications and design briefs for robotic platforms, machines, and modules.
- Lead the evaluation and selection of technical concepts in collaboration with domain experts, based on functional, economic, and risk criteria.
- Ensure architectural consistency and interface compatibility across subsystems and modules.
- Guide the development of subsystem concepts and validate their feasibility through analytical modeling and simulation.
- Facilitate design reviews and ensure that development progress aligns with system-level objectives.
- Drive risk assessments and initiate necessary pre-development or technology validation activities.
- Ensure compliance with certification requirements (e.g., CE, SEMI, RoHS) and support the preparation of documentation.
- Support patent applications and the protection of intellectual property arising from system innovations.
- Present technical solutions and resolve system-level issues in collaboration with customers and stakeholders.
- May provide full system “architecture(s)” for new concepts and/or customer driven ideations.
3. ESSENTIAL QUALITY EXPECTATIONS
- Strategic and robotic systems-level thinking with the ability to balance technical depth and cross-domain integration.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to make sound decisions under ambiguity using physical principles and engineering judgment.
- Excellent communication and moderation skills to lead interdisciplinary teams through complex trade-offs.
- Proactive mindset for identifying innovation opportunities and system improvements.
- Commitment to technical excellence, documentation, and knowledge transfer.
- Customer-oriented thinking and ability to represent the company in technical discussions.
- AUTHORITY
- Lead modules and system level development for TH team under the Director of Engineering
5. REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in mechatronics, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering. (MSc, MEng, etc. desired)
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in the system level leadership of the development of complex robotic, mechatronic systems, ideally in semiconductor backend equipment.
- Minimum of 5 years as a direct engineer in a discipline.
- Proven track record in system engineering, robotic machine concept development, and cross-discipline, electro-mechanical engineering leadership.
- Deep understanding of thermal systems, motion control, sensor integration, and machine intelligence.
- Experience with requirement engineering, risk management, and certification processes.
- Excellent English communication skills: German and/or French is a plus.
- Willingness to travel internationally up to 20%.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in mechatronics, mechanical, or electrical engineering
- MSc/MEng or advanced degree
- Minimum 10 years system-level leadership in development of complex robotic/mechatronic systems (ideally semiconductor backend equipment)
- Minimum 5 years as a direct engineer in a discipline
- Proven track record in system engineering, robotic machine concept development, and cross-discipline electro-mechanical leadership
- Deep understanding of thermal systems, motion control, sensor integration, and machine intelligence
- Experience with requirements engineering, risk management, and certification processes
- Excellent English communication skills
- German and/or French language skills
- Willingness to travel internationally up to 20%
Cohu, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cohu, Inc. and has not been reviewed or approved by Cohu, Inc..
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Retirement Support — A company-sponsored 401(k) with employer matching contributions is described in filings, supporting long-term savings. Company materials also highlight retirement programs as part of a comprehensive package.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An employee stock purchase plan with a discounted lookback feature is outlined, expanding access to ownership. This structure can enhance total rewards value beyond base pay.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Company materials outline robust paid time off programs and parental leave for all new parents. Time-off programs are presented as part of a comprehensive, globally relevant benefits suite.
Cohu, Inc. Insights
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The Company
What We Do
Cohu is a leading supplier of semiconductor test and inspection & metrology handlers, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) test modules, test contactors, thermal sub-systems and semiconductor automated test equipment used by global semiconductor and electronics manufacturers and semiconductor test subcontractors. Our product portfolio is focused on increasing yield, reducing cost of test, and accelerating time-to-market. Cohu is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: COHU) global company with headquarters in Poway, CA. We have a global footprint with ~3,000 employees. We are the leading supplier of Semiconductor Test and Inspection & Metrology Handlers and Test Contactors. We have market leadership in RF Power Amplifier/Front-End Module Testing.
