What are the responsibilities and job description for the Principal Systems Engineer position at Advanced Input Systems?
About AIS
AIS is a global leader in Human Machine eXperience (HMX) solutions, delivering innovative, high‑performance products that power the future of human interaction with technology. Our portfolio includes electro‑mechanical assemblies, virtual reality components, infection control interfaces, and industrial and medical display systems. With a focus on quality, precision, and customer satisfaction, we support a wide range of industries from our state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing facilities.
Role Summary
The Principal Systems Engineer is the systems integrator, cross‑functional orchestrator, and a systems leader responsible for turning requirements into manufacturable, cost-effective HMI solutions across AIS’s global footprint. You’ll partner with Sales, Business Development, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations to scope, estimate, prototype, validate, and launch products that meet performance, regulatory, and reliability targets.
This position is ideal for a systems thinker who thrives in a leadership seat—balancing technology, execution, and customer-facing collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Global Systems Architecture & Integration
- Lead system‑level architecture development for complex HMI, sensing, touch display, and electro‑mechanical platforms deployed across AIS’s global operations.
- Translate high‑level product objectives into system architectures, interface definitions, and verification strategies that unify mechanical, electrical, firmware, optics, and manufacturing considerations.
- Architect solutions including component selection (sensors, controllers, optics, materials) stack-ups, interfaces and environmental/EMC considerations.
- Partner with Principal Mechanical and Principal Electrical Engineers to align system‑wide decisions and maintain architectural integrity.
- Identify system risks and lead cross‑discipline mitigation strategies.
- Collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams in Coeur d’Alene, Taiwan, and Shenzhen to ensure system designs are understood, buildable, and aligned across sites.
- Contribute to long‑term technology roadmaps, platform architectures, and capability development.
Customer & Commercial Engagement
- Serve as the technical front end for complex programs—partnering with Sales, Business Development, and customers to translate use cases and performance targets into system‑level requirements.
- Present architectural options, lead technical reviews, communicate tradeoffs, and guide customers toward solutions that balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and schedule.
- Support proposal generation including DFMs, block diagrams, risk registers, BOM estimates, and SOW inputs.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or a related engineering field with 15 years of experience in systems or product engineering for electro-mechanical, embedded, display, sensing, HMI, or similar systems; or a Master’s degree in a related field with 12 years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate multi‑disciplinary systems and lead cross‑functional technical execution.
- Strong understanding of engineering requirements, system integration, interface control, verification and validation, and technical risk management.
Preferred
- Experience with PCAP touch, displays, optics, environmental engineering, embedded platforms, sensors, and ruggedized product design.
- Familiarity with regulated industries (medical, industrial) and associated compliance frameworks.
- Experience with engineering tools such as CAD (SolidWorks).
Working Conditions
- Occasional global travel (≤10%) to customers, partners, and AIS facilities.
- Ability to engage in lab, prototype shop, and manufacturing environments with appropriate PPE.
Equal Opportunity
AIS is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.