Sr. Systems Design Engineer

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The RAPID division leads the industry in reticle inspection solutions, helping ensure high lithography yields and cost-effective semiconductor manufacturing. Its systems support both mask shops and fabs by detecting defects early in the process, enabling faster, more reliable production.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

The qualified candidate will join a high-caliber team developing the next generation EUV actinic mask inspection platform. The candidate is expected to coordinate across different functions:  working with mechanical, optical, electrical, software, and other systems engineers in order to meet stringent technical, schedule, and budgetary requirements.

Candidates should have a strong and diverse technical background.

The role will involve requirements development, system design, and testing of complex inspection systems using expertise from multiple technical disciplines.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.

The selected candidate will:

• Help develop requirement specifications and test plans

• Work with functional groups to define and review designs.

• Participate in prototype integration and testing of assemblies, subsystems and systems.

• Create and execute test plans and perform analysis to validate system performance.

• Create and document calibration, manufacturing, and service procedures

• Will trouble shoot system and subsystem issues and work with various subsystem teams to find and implement solutions

• Support internal and external customers in implementing processes to build and use the tool effectively and optimize tool performance. Lead troubleshoot efforts in manufacturing and in the field

Preferred qualifications:

• Strong background in engineering or the physical science and demonstrated analysis and problem solving skills

• Strong diagnostic and trouble shooting skills in optics, opto-mechanics, and motion control systems

• Experience with lasers and illumination systems, CCD/CMOS cameras is a plus

• Experience with scripting languages, such as Python, would be a plus

• Agility and ability to thrive on a fast paced program and respond quickly to field and internal escalations

• Must be an effective communicator able to share technical information with functional groups and provide executive level reports to management and customers

• Industrial experience in one or more of the following:

  • System engineering

  • Mechatronics

  • Optical systems

  • Imaging systems 

  • Complex systems

  • Vacuum systems

Occasional travel will be required

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) or work experience of 2 years , Master's Level Degree or work experience of 4 years , Bachelor's Level Degree or work experience of 5 years

About KLA

We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

Total Rewards

Base Pay Range: $159,500.00 - $233,967.00 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.

Use of AI Statement 

At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.