Mechanical Engineer Energy Efficiency

KLA; Newport; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer in Newport, UK, seeks an Energy Efficiency Engineer to support mechanical engineering efforts aimed at reducing total tool energy consumption in semiconductor processes. The role involves collaboration with cross-functional teams to design and validate energy-saving solutions, and emphasizes sustainability and eco-design initiatives. Candidates must hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, with knowledge of thermal systems, fluid mechanics, and prior experience in energy efficiency contexts preferred.

Benefits

Competitive total rewards package

Family-friendly benefits

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Strong background in thermal systems, fluid mechanics, and mechanical system design.
• Experience in energy efficiency, sustainability, or eco-design initiatives.
• Ability to work across disciplines and influence design decisions in matrix organizations.

Responsibilities

• Support mechanical engineering efforts to reduce tool energy consumption.
• Perform energy flow mapping and loss analysis at tool subsystem level.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated energy solutions.
• Evaluate energy reduction opportunities for installed base and support lifecycle cost analyses.

Skills

Energy efficiency

Thermal systems

Fluid mechanics

Mechanical system design

Sustainability

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (preferred)

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

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. Central Engineering is KLA's largest engineering organization comprised of 9 Centers‑of‑Excellence (CoE) in various disciplines applied across all product groups in the company. These CoE include Handling & Automation, Precision Motion Control, Sensors & Image Acquisition, Platform Design, and Packaging Engineering, among others. Talent includes over 500 engineers across global centers in Israel, China, India, and the US. Each CoE contributes not just talent and deliverables per discipline toward product programs, but also subject matter expertise, best practices, roadmaps, specialized facilities, apparatus, models, and analytics. These differentiate KLA not only in WHAT we do, but also in HOW we do it.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Energy Efficiency Engineering

Support mechanical engineering efforts to reduce total tool energy consumption (kWh per wafer, per process, per hour of operation).

Identify, analyse, and implement energy reduction opportunities across:

• Thermal management systems (chillers, heaters, heat exchangers)
• Vacuum systems and pumps
• Motion systems and actuators
• Compressed air, cooling water, and facility interfaces
• Develop engineering concepts and design changes that deliver measurable energy savings.

Analysis, Modelling & Validation

• Perform energy flow mapping and loss analysis at tool subsystem level.
• Use analytical and simulation tools (e.g., thermal modelling, fluid dynamics, duty‑cycle analysis) to quantify energy drivers.
• Define and execute test plans to validate energy performance improvements in lab and production environments.
• Establish energy baselines, KPIs, and verification methods aligned with internal reporting and customer requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Product Design, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facilities, and Software teams to deliver integrated energy solutions.
• Collaborate with Sustainability, Product Safety, and Regulatory teams to ensure compliance with:
  • SEMI S2/S23 and relevant regional energy directives>
  • Customer sustainability requirements
• Support customer engagements related to tool energy performance, sustainability reporting, and eco‑design initiatives.

Installed Base & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate energy reduction opportunities for the installed base, including retrofit concepts and operational optimizations.
• Support lifecycle cost and ROI analyses to prioritize energy efficiency projects.
• Contribute to long‑term energy reduction roadmaps for KLA product families.

Documentation & Knowledge Transfer

• Produce clear technical documentation including design specifications.
• Energy performance assessments.
• Test reports and engineering justifications.
• Share best practices and lessons learned across global engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with energy efficiency, sustainability, or eco‑design initiatives.
• Familiarity with SEMI energy measurement standards (S23) and global energy or environmental regulations.
• Experience with vacuum systems, chillers, recovery, or high‑precision motion systems.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master's preferred).

• Strong background in thermal systems, fluid mechanics, and mechanical system design.
• Experience applying engineering analysis to reduce energy consumption or improve efficiency.
• Ability to work across disciplines and influence design decisions in matrix organizations.
• Extensive experience in mechanical engineering, preferably in:
  • Semiconductor capital equipment
  • Complex industrial systems
  • Energy‑intensive manufacturing tools

Rewards Package

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