Job Description

Company Overview

KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world’s leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow’s electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.

Group/Division

With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA’s metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical subsystems and components, including vacuum chambers, transition chambers, precision structures, vacuum interfaces, support hardware, and related assemblies.
• Translate system and subsystem requirements into mechanical concepts, specifications, interface definitions, and detailed designs.
• Create and maintain 3D CAD models, engineering drawings, bills of materials, interface-control documentation, and product specifications.
• Apply GD&T and perform tolerance stack-up analyses to ensure fit, alignment, producibility, and repeatable assembly performance.
• Perform or coordinate engineering analyses and trade studies, including structural, thermal, vibration, stiffness, natural-frequency, and mechanical-margin evaluations.
• Design vacuum-compatible hardware using appropriate materials, surface finishes, sealing methods, joining techniques, cleanliness controls, and venting practices.
• Develop mechanical solutions that address contamination, particle generation, hydrocarbon control, thermal stability, vibration, reliability, and serviceability requirements.
• Plan and execute feasibility studies, prototype evaluations, design-verification tests, and subsystem qualification activities.
• Provide hands-on engineering support during prototype assembly, subsystem integration, testing, and production introduction to verify the design and resolve hardware issues.
• Investigate vacuum, mechanical, contamination, and reliability issues using data-driven root cause analysis; implement and validate corrective design actions.
• Participate in design reviews, technical risk assessments, FMEA/FMECA activities, and Design for Excellence reviews, including DFM, DFA, DFS, and DFR.
• Collaborate with Systems, Optics, Stage, Source, Manufacturing, Quality, Service, Integration, and Facilities teams to manage mechanical interfaces and ensure subsystem compatibility.
• Work directly with suppliers on technical requirements, design reviews, prototype fabrication, process capability, nonconformance resolution, and qualification of mechanical components and assemblies.
• Prepare and release engineering documentation, including assembly and test procedures, technical reports, design-review materials, and engineering change orders.
• Address product issues throughout development, integration, production, and field-support phases while maintaining technical ownership of assigned hardware.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience designing complex mechanical systems, precision assemblies, or vacuum equipment.
• Knowledge of vacuum-system design principles, vacuum-compatible materials, sealing technologies, leak testing, and contamination control.
• Proficiency with a 3D CAD platform such as Creo, NX, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, mechanical drawings, materials selection, fastening methods, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with structural, thermal, or vibration analysis and the ability to interpret analysis and test results.
• Experience developing prototypes and executing design verification or qualification testing.
• Working knowledge of DFM, DFA, DFS, DFR, FMEA/FMECA, RCCA, or 8D methods.
• Ability to independently execute moderately complex engineering assignments, communicate technical decisions, and drive issues to closure.
• Experience working with suppliers on custom mechanical parts and assemblies.
• Experience in semiconductor capital equipment, precision instrumentation, vacuum equipment, aerospace, medical devices, or another highly regulated/high-technology industry is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years

Base Pay Range: $117,800.00 - $200,300.00 Annually

Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLA

KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.

Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.

Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.