Applications Development Engineer

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 97,800 - 166,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company matching

Paid time off and paid company holidays

Tuition reimbursement program

Employee assistance program

Job summary

A global semiconductor equipment leader in Milpitas is seeking an Applications Development Engineer to characterize new systems, optimize processes, and support customers. The ideal candidate will have a Master's or Ph.D. in engineering and extensive experience in semiconductor processing. This role requires up to 50% travel to customer locations for process optimization and training. Join us to innovate within a dynamic team focused on enhancing next-generation manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in semiconductor processing or equipment industry.
• Ability to manage travel up to 50% on short notice.
• Good balance between technical skills and people skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments, collect data and publish results.
• Gain expertise on KLA equipment and customer processes.
• Handle customer technical needs and provide solutions.

Skills

Characterization of new systems and features

Product penetration/adoption

Process optimization

Teamwork

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Physics, Electrical, Chemical Engineering

Job description

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. First to deliver the best imaging and classification data for every defect or point on any layer at any time. EBeam’s mission encapsulates its role as the “eyes” of KLA’s product line, providing timely information on defects and critical locations on the wafer at the highest spatial resolution possible. Customers use EBeam products alongside KLA patterned and bare wafer inspectors to quickly understand the nature of defects and other imperfections on product wafers and take action to correct the manufacturing process.

Job Description / Preferred

Applications Development Engineer responsibilities:

• Characterization of new systems and features. This includes designing and conducting experiments, collecting data, publishing results and recommendations in the form of application notes, best known methods or characterization studies.
• Product penetration/adoption and process optimization at customer facilities in fabs. This includes gaining expertise on KLA equipment and customers semiconductor fabrication processes and applying them to solve mission critical production problems. Apps engineering roles also includes training customers and other apps engineers, handling/driving local apps escalation process, investigating customer technical needs/problems and providing solutions, conducting final acceptance, demonstrating products, and understanding competitive situations, methodology, and performance group analysis. Report technology development and new applications to Marketing. Support pre‑sale and post‑sale activities.
• Work experience in semiconductor processing or equipment industry preferred. These roles require traveling up to 50% on short notice. Trips could be 4‑8 weeks long. Team work is critical, so having a good balance between technical skills and people skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Physics, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.

Base Pay Range: $97,800.00 – $166,300.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas

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.

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 [e-mail] or at +1‑408‑352‑2808 to request accommodation.