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, KLAs 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 LS-SWIFT Division of KLA’s Global Products Group provides patterned wafer inspection systems for high-volume semiconductor manufacturing. Its mission is to deliver market-leading cost of ownership in defect detection for a broad range of applications in the production of semiconductors. Customers from the foundry, logic, memory, automotive, MEMS, advanced packaging and other markets rely upon high-sample wafer inspection information generated by LS-SWIFT products. LS (Laser Scanning) systems enable cost-effective patterned wafer defect detection for the industry’s most sophisticated process technologies deployed in leading-edge foundry, logic, DRAM, and NAND fabs. SWIFT (Simultaneous Wafer Inspection at Fast Throughput) systems deliver all-wafer-surface (frontside, backside, and edge) macro inspection that is critical for automotive IC, MEMS, and advanced packaging processes as well as foundry/logic and memory fabs. LS-SWIFT operates from a global footprint that includes the US, Singapore, India and Germany, and serves a worldwide customer base across Asia, Europe and North America.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

KLA is seeking a talented Product Development Engineer/Systems Engineer to support defect inspection tools within our Central Engineering Group in Ann Arbor. The successful candidate will drive complex instrument designs and be responsible for developing subsystems for the next generation of KLA inspection tools.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop detailed requirement specifications from marketing requirements using systems engineering methodology.
Collaborate with Sensor, Optics, Opto-Mech, Algorithm, Software, and Marketing Teams to drive successful development and implementation of key subsystems.
Develop and implement innovative design improvements to currently released products as well as novel next-generation products.
Apply systems engineering principles to optimize critical systems-level instrument performance.
Develop and test systems design improvements, spec validation, and implementation of solutions.
Contribute to cross-training material and team’s skill advancement.
Solve field customer concerns regarding sophisticated system performance problems by providing written plans of action remotely or offering on-site hands-on technical leadership at customer sites worldwide.
Write high-level technical reports to communicate issues, analysis, technical assessments, system status, best-known-methods, and engineering recommendations.
Design and drive multi-disciplinary experiments, write detailed test plans for systems testing.
Coordinate with outside vendors to develop and deliver sub-system products.
Hands-on troubleshooting and maintenance of engineering prototype systems.

Qualifications/Education Desired

Solid understanding of imaging sensors and cameras, precision instruments, and control systems.
Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting skills in imaging sensors and cameras, optics, opto-mechanics, and motion control systems.
Proficient with data analysis tools such as JMP and Matlab.
Programming skills in Matlab and scripting languages, such as Python or Java.
Excellent oral and written communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
Previous experience with yield and process control instrument systems for the semiconductor industry is desired.
Experience with imaging sensors and cameras, lasers and opto-mechanical systems is plus.
Occasional travel for training and customer support worldwide is required.
Experience in driving projects through the development cycle, including concept, design, prototyping, testing/integration, troubleshooting, and risk management. Project management skills are also helpful.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree with 0 years of related work experience; Masters Level Degree with 3 years of related work experience; or Bachelors Level Degree with 5 years of related work experience.
Strong background in engineering or physical science, with a preferred degree in Physics, Applied Optics, Materials Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.

Base Pay Range: $91,900.00 - $156,200.00 Annually

Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-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.

KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other status protected by applicable law. 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.

Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.