Etch Equipment Field Installation and Design Engineer

KLA; Newport; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA, in its SPTS division, seeks an experienced Equipment Engineer to join the Equipment Engineering and Development Group. You will lead automation integration of SPTS systems into customer semiconductor factories, spanning electrical, electronic, and mechanical subsystems with a hands-on approach.

The role involves working across new technologies, collaborating with design/integration specialists, and travelling up to 50% to client sites to ensure reliable hardware and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum HNC Electrical/ Mechanical/ Mechatronics or related field and customer-facing experience.
• Experience in design with a mindset of continuous improvement.
• Understanding of Machinery safety regulations EN60204 and EN13849.
• Experience diagnosing faults and analytical thinking.
• AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent; 3D CAD experience desired.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, develop, and improve ETCH semiconductor process equipment hardware.
• Build and fault-find in new designs in the factory as part of PLC processes.
• Install and fault-find new products at customer sites.
• Travel internationally up to ~50% to assist customers.
• Report improvements and customer requirements back to the factory.
• Wiring harness and mechanical design.
• Improve serviceability of new designs.
• Test and compliance of machines to international standards.
• Technical report writing and hardware testing planning.
• Work with process engineers to optimise hardware performance and reliability.
• Support technology development from concept to customer-ready.

Skills

Flexible work ethic

Analytical skills

Autonomous working

Team collaboration

Strong communication

Organised

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

3D CAD

Job description

Company Overview

The SPTS division of KLA, designs, manufactures and markets wafer processing solutions for the global semiconductor and related industries. SPTS provides industry leading etch and deposition process technologies on a range of single wafer handling platforms. End-market applications include micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), advanced packaging, LED, high speed RF device IC’s and power semiconductors. SPTS is part of KLA Corporation which develops industry-leading equipment and services that enable innovation throughout the electronics industry. We provide advanced process control and process-enabling solutions for manufacturing wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. In close collaboration with leading customers across the globe, our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers design solutions that move the world forward.

Group/Division

SPTS wafer processing solutions include market-leading silicon etch, dielectric etch, dry-release etch, PVD, PECVD and molecular vapor deposition (MVD®), available with a range of wafer-handling options applicable to R&D, pilot production, or volume production environments. SPTS is headquartered and has its main manufacturing facility in Newport, UK, with additional manufacturing in Allentown, Pennsylvania. SPTS operates across 19 countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, and offers comprehensive service and spare parts support through a worldwide network of service centers and qualified local agents.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Part of the SPTS Engineering division, the Equipment Engineering and Development Group is a multi-disciplined team, providing automation solutions to enable the integration of SPTS process systems into customer semiconductor fabrication factories worldwide!

This is an exciting new role that allows a candidate to work in new technologies and to be involved in many different and new projects.

As the successful candidate, you will be an experienced multidisciplinary Engineer with an understanding of electrical, electronic and mechanical systems able to build a solid expertise in overall system operation, integration, and calibrations/diagnostics. Must have a hands‑on approach by learning from the engineering team to support Alpha & Beta Systems and retrofits.

You would be working with other specialists in the group with equipment design/integration and expect to work to tight deadlines in a highly regulated industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain, develop, and improve ETCH semiconductor process equipment hardware.
• Building and fault finding in new designs in the factory as part of our PLC process
• Installation and fault finding of new products at customer sites
• Must be willing to travel internationally ~ 50% often travelling to customers to assist with problems
• Reporting back to the factory on improvements and customer requirements.
• Wiring harness and mechanical design
• Improve serviceability of new designs
• Testing and compliance of machines to international standards
• Technical report writing
• Plan and execute hardware testing, validation, and performance characterisation.
• Work with process engineers to optimise hardware performance forreliabilityand process capability.
• Support technology development programmes from early concept through to customer‑ready

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum HNC Electrical/ Mechanical/ Mechatronics or related field and experience in a customer facing role
• Experience working in a design role with an eye for continuous improvement
• An understanding of Machinery safety regulations and EU harmonized standards, EN60204, EN13849 preferable
• Experience in diagnosing faults and an analytical mind
• AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent experience 3D CAD experience is desired

Key Skills

• A flexible work ethic and ability to use initiative
• Good analytical and fault‑finding skills
• Able to work both autonomously and as part of a team
• Well organised – You’ll work autonomously, often in different time zones and be trusted to work without assistance or management.
• Composed – You’ll thrive in the sometimes‑pressurised environment of semiconductor manufacturing environments.
• Able to demonstrate strong Communication skills – You’ll enjoy establishing and maintaining good working relationships with both customers and colleagues.

We will seek to give as much notice as possible for travel, but trips may be at very short notice and can be for extended periods of time. KLA will of course, provide travel expenses and accommodation, in line with our travel policy.

What we will offer you? KLA’s benefits package includes:

Annual leave starting at 25 days (plus bank holidays), contributory pension scheme, cash health plan, cycle to work scheme, global bonus plan, share scheme, rewards scheme, life assurance, generous shift allowance and overtime premiums.

Minimum Qualifications

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

We offer a competitive, family friendly total rewards package. We design our programs to reflect our commitment to an inclusive environment, while ensuring we provide benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees.

KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer