FPGA Firmware Design Manager

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 Broadband Plasma Division (BBP) provides market‑leading patterned wafer optical inspection systems for leading‑edge IC manufacturing. Logic, foundry, and memory customers depend on BBP products to detect yield‑critical defects for process debug and excursion monitoring at advanced process nodes. BBP flagship products include the 29xx and 39xx series which leverage Broadband Plasma technology to capture a wide range of defects with ultimate sensitivity at the optical inspection speeds needed for inline defect monitoring.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

We are seeking an experienced FPGA Firmware Design Manager to lead a team of FPGA and firmware engineers responsible for developing high‑performance digital solutions for advanced semiconductor inspection and metrology systems. This role combines technical leadership, people management, and multi‑functional collaboration to drive FPGA firmware architecture, implementation, verification, release, and support throughout the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in FPGA development, digital system architecture, and engineering leadership, with demonstrated experience of delivering complex products in a fast‑paced environment.

Technical Leadership

• Lead the architecture, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance of FPGA firmware for advanced inspection and metrology systems.
• Drive FPGA design reviews and establish standards for coding, simulation, verification, documentation, and release processes.
• Provide technical guidance on:
  High‑speed digital interfaces;
  Data acquisition systems;
  Image processing pipelines;
  Motion control systems;
  Real‑time embedded systems; FPGA‑based signal processing.
• Ensure designs are scalable, maintainable, and reusable across multiple product platforms.
• Participate in system architecture definition and technology roadmap planning.

Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of FPGA firmware engineers.
• Set project priorities and allocate resources across multiple programs.
• Manage employee performance, provide coaching, and support career development.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
• Recruit, interview, and onboard high‑performing engineering talent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of FPGA firmware development experience.
• Strong expertise with FPGA development tools and methodologies.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field or…