Mechanical Engineer; gas​/water​/vacuum systems

Position: Mechanical Engineer (gas/water/vacuum systems)
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, chip makers 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

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer (mid-level) to design and develop gas, water, and vacuum distribution systems for next-generation reticle inspection systems. This role focuses on fluid delivery and control architectures operating in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environments, supporting system performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

You will work cross-functionally with systems, electrical, process, and manufacturing teams to deliver robust solutions from concept through production release.

Key Responsibilities

* Design and develop gas, liquid cooling (water), and vacuum distribution systems for UHV semiconductor equipment

* Create system architectures including piping/tubing layouts, manifolds, valves, regulators, and filtration components

* Perform flow, pressure, and thermal analyses to ensure system performance and stability

* Develop and release detailed CAD models, drawings, and BOMs using enterprise PLM systems

* Ensure designs meet UHV compatibility requirements (materials selection, cleanliness, leak integrity, out gassing)

* Conduct and support design reviews (PDR, CDR) and failure mode analysis (FMEA)

* Partner with suppliers to define specifications and qualify components (valves, fittings, pumps, sensors)

* Support prototype builds, integration, and system bring-up, including troubleshooting fluid/vacuum issues

* Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to ensure DFM/DFA and scalable production

* Drive continuous improvement for reliability, cost, and serviceability of fluid systems

Required Qualifications

* Hands-on experience designing fluid systems (gas, liquid, or vacuum)

* Familiarity with vacuum systems, including pumps, seals, leak detection, and pressure regimes

* Proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., Solid Works, Creo, NX)

* Understanding of materials and compatibility for clean and vacuum environments

* Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in cross-functional teams

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience with ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems and contamination control

* Knowledge of EUV systems or semiconductor process equipment

* Experience with thermal management and cooling systems

* Familiarity with CFD or flow simulation tools

* Understanding of industry standards (e.g., SEMI, ASME B31.3 for piping where applicable)

* Experience working in NPI (New Product Introduction) environments

Key Competencies

* Systems thinking and ability to work across disciplines

* Attention to detail in high-precision environments

* Strong communication and technical documentation skills

* Ownership mindset from concept through release

What You'll Work On

* High-performance vacuum and gas delivery architectures enabling EUV inspection

* Precision cooling systems for thermal stability at nanometer-level accuracy

* Complex integration challenges where mechanical, fluid, and vacuum systems intersect

Minimum Qualifications

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

Base Pay Range: $ - $ Annually

Primary

Location:

USA-CA-Milpitas-KLA

KLA's total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance…