Applications Engineering Leader: NPI & Customer Success

KLA

Milpitas (CA)

On-site

USD 127,000 - 216,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

401K with company match

Employee stock purchase program (ESPP)

Student debt assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness benefits and EAP

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Family care leave

Job summary

KLA Milpitas is seeking an experienced Applications Engineering leader to drive new product introductions and validate products across global customers. You will guide alpha/beta testing, develop BKMs, and deliver technical documentation to enable rapid deployment.

You will lead customer evaluations, demonstrations, and cross‑functional collaboration with Sales, Marketing and Field teams to accelerate adoption.

Qualifications

M.S. or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Optics, Semiconductor Engineering, or related technical discipline.
8+ years of experience in the semiconductor equipment industry, semiconductor manufacturing, or related process technologies.
Demonstrated expertise in reticle manufacturing, reticle inspection, lithography, process control, or optical inspection technologies.
Proven experience leading Applications Engineering, Product Applications, Field Applications, Product Development, or related technical teams.
Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), including alpha and beta testing, product characterization, and customer qualifications.
Track record of successfully driving customer evaluations, technical demonstrations, and product adoption programs for strategic customers.
Experience managing complex customer escalations and leading cross‑functional teams to resolve technical challenges.
Outstanding leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across global organizations.
Experience developing and delivering technical training programs and establishing best practices, BKMs, and knowledge‑sharing processes.

Responsibilities

Own applications support for new product development, including alpha and beta testing, application characterization, and product validation.
Drive the development of Best Known Methods (BKMs), Applications Notes, and technical documentation to enable successful product deployment and adoption.
Lead customer evaluations and demonstrations for beta products and emerging technologies.
Partner with Sales, Marketing, and Field Applications teams to showcase product value and accelerate customer adoption.
Oversee critical customer and field escalations, ensuring timely resolution through effective cross‑functional collaboration.
Partner with Engineering, Service, and Field teams to perform root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
Collaborate with Product Marketing, Engineering, and Field Applications teams to identify customer requirements, define new product features, and drive capability enhancements.
Provide strategic input based on customer feedback, competitive benchmarking, and field experience to shape future product roadmaps.
Establish and drive worldwide Applications Engineering training programs to ensure consistent technical competency and execution excellence across regions.
Lead, coach, and develop a team of Applications Engineers to achieve technical excellence, operational effectiveness, and career growth.