Research Scientist - Plasma Light Source Development

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.

KLA's Central Engineering organization is made up of nine Centers of Excellence (CoEs) spanning disciplines like automation, motion control, sensors, platform design, and packaging. Each CoE contributes not only technical deliverables but also deep expertise, best practices, and advanced tools that elevate both what we build—and how we build it.

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

KLA is looking for a Research Scientist in our Central Engineering Group in Ann Arbor! The Scientist will work on experimental development of next generation laser sustained plasma light sources in sub-UV wavelength region for new light source concepts. The candidate will work in a team that develops the technical foundation of KLA's next generation wafer inspection tools!

Lead design and setup photometric tooling including spectrometers, imagers, and photometers

Process and analyze spectral data from plasma light sources

Design, build, test, and operation of complex laser, optical, vacuum, high pressure test setups.

Data collection and processing using tools like Python, LabVIEW, Matlab and similar.

Design experiments to retire risks and validate critical subsystems.

Evaluate feasibility of new concepts design solutions.

Develop specifications of future tools.

Find and engage new suppliers and help coordinate technology development with external partners.

Collaborate with internal customers and key collaborators in technical projects and present results to a wider audience.

Hands-on problem solving and maintenance of engineering prototype systems.

Qualifications/Desired

Skills:

Experience in plasma spectroscopy and spectral analysis of plasma light sources

Experience in designing and constructing optical metrology setups for photometry and spectroscopy

Expertise in operation of high-power lasers and knowledge of laser-safety protocols, experience with laser alignment and diagnostics

Hands-on experience in optics and mechatronics, including opto-mechanical systems applications, expertise in design of optical systems

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Knowledge of data acquisition and control approaches

Proficiency in data analysis and root-cause analysis

Experience in optical system modeling and performance analysis using one or more optics modeling packages (e.g. Zemax, Code V, etc.)Solid understanding of a design, tolerancing and testing of optical systems and modules

Ability to travel internationally for training and supplier engagements

Minimum Qualifications Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience;
Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years;
Bachelor's Level Degree and related…