Customer Engagement Applications Engineer - SFS

KLA; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 102,000 - 173,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive total rewards package

Family-friendly benefits

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

KLA in Hillsboro, Oregon, is seeking an Applications Engineer to join the Surfscan Division, a leader in semiconductor manufacturing technologies. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting and optimizing SFS tools, collaborating with customers and engineering teams to ensure maximum value in product implementation.

The position requires a MS or Ph.D. in a relevant field and offers competitive pay ranging from $102,000 to $173,400 annually, with an inclusive and family-friendly work environment.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree with 0 years related experience or Bachelor's Degree with 2 years experience.
• Experience in semiconductor fabrication.
• Strong knowledge of semiconductor process flows.

Responsibilities

• Support and troubleshoot SFS tools in customer environments.
• Diagnose tool issues and identify corrective actions.
• Develop applications and Best Known Methods to solve customer challenges.

Skills

Strong customer focus

System-level troubleshooting

Data analysis tools (Excel, JMP, Minitab)

Programming (Matlab, LabVIEW, Python)

Education

MS or Ph.D. in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Optics, Material Science or related field

Bachelor's Level Degree with 2 years related work experience

Tools

Semiconductor process and defect analysis

Computer operating systems and networking

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.

Job Description / Preferred Qualifications

Join KLA's Surfscan Division, the leader in unpatterned wafer inspection for semiconductor manufacturing. Our team of apps engineers, technologists, and product specialists develop solutions that help advanced semiconductor fabs and equipment manufacturers qualify and monitor process tools. Surfscan equipment detects defects and process non‑uniformities early, enabling proactive yield management. As an Applications Engineer, you'll partner with customers and cross‑functional teams to optimize SFS tools, create innovative applications, and drive enhancements for next‑generation products. This role blends deep technical expertise with customer engagement to ensure our solutions always deliver maximum value.

Key Responsibilities

• Support, maintain, and troubleshoot SFS tools in customer environments
• Diagnose tool issues, identify corrective actions, and ensure optimal tool performance
• Work closely with service and engineering teams to resolve hardware/software issues
• Develop applications and Best Known Methods (BKMs) to solve complex customer challenges and improve tool capability
• Create use cases, scope new features, identify issues, and drive bug fixes
• Maintain strategic customer relationships and assist sales teams with technical assessments
• Develop and document training materials, and provide technical training
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define requirements for future products

Qualifications

• MS or Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Optics, Material Science, or related field
• Experience in semiconductor fabrication or equivalent educational experience
• Strong knowledge of semiconductor process flows and defect types
• Experience in system‑level troubleshooting, diagnostics, and reporting
• Cleanroom experience and semiconductor device characterization
• Familiarity with computer operating systems, networking, and analysis tools

Preferred Skills

• Strong customer focus and ability to build collaborative relationships
• Experience with lasers and optics
• Motivation to innovate and proactively deliver exceptional customer outcomes
• Proven technical leadership and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management skills
• Ability to present technical content to diverse audiences
• Data analysis tools (Excel, JMP, Minitab, Igor, Origin, ImageJ, etc.)
• Programming (Matlab, LabVIEW, Python, etc.)

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Level Degree and 0 years related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 2 years.

Base Pay Range: $102,000.00 - $173,400.00 Annually

Primary Location: USA-OR-Hillsboro-Beaverton-KLA.

Contact for accommodations: Please contact us at [e-mail] or at [phone] to request accommodation.