System Design Engineer

Company Overview

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.

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 toward advanced chip design, KLA’s Global Products Group (GPG) is looking for the best and brightest research scientist, software engineer, application development engineer, and senior product technology process engineer.

The Surfscan group includes a team of engineers, technology development, apps engineers and product marketing focused on technology that enables wafer, IC and equipment manufacturers to develop, qualify and monitor their process tools. The flagship Surfscan products include the SPx platforms for wafer surface quality and wafer defect inspection tools and systems for inspection of polished wafers, epi wafers and engineered substrates during the wafer fabrication process.

• Develop and evaluate concepts and designs for the next generation systems and CIP for existing systems.
• Lead design efforts, including building models and performing analysis to derive requirements, holding design reviews to drive team agreement on requirements and designs, and procuring parts for prototype tests.
• Conduct experiments to verify performance of critical components, subsystems and modules, and review test reports with cross‑functional team for approval.
• Perform research, evaluation, and proposals for new and existing product features in support of customer requirements.
• Set up and drive team efforts that address product‑level issues (such as design issues, supplier issues, MFG escalations, or improvement projects).
• Lead development of performance and troubleshooting diagnostics for existing and new products.
• Define system‑level requirements and contribute to specifications and interface definitions.
• Develop and execute test plans for system characterization, software testing, hardware validation.
• Troubleshoot complex system issues across software, electronics, mechanics and optics, writing scripts for data collection and analysis.
• Use structured problem‑solving methods (e.g., 8D, 7‑Step) to resolve issues.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, applications and service teams to implement solutions.
• Present technical findings to leadership and global stakeholders.
• Project management skills (scoping, budgeting and scheduling) is a plus.
• Up to 25% travel required.

• Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 3 years;
• Master’s Level Degree and related work experience of 4 years;
• Bachelor’s Level Degree and related work experience of 6 years.

• Base Pay Range: $ – $ annually (primary location: USA‑CA‑Milpitas).
• May also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including 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; paid company holidays;
  
  and family care and bonding leave.
• Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed.

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