Data Scientist

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas, CA is seeking a Data Scientist to advance service cost analytics and forecasting capabilities. You will develop predictive models and analytical frameworks that translate complex data into actionable insights for cost management and operational decisions.

Working with Service, Engineering, Finance, and Operations teams, you will prototype lightweight AI-enabled tools and ensure insights are integrated into planning processes, driving forecasting accuracy and business impact.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Actuarial Science, Economics, or related field.
• Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning, predictive analytics, or forecasting.
• Strong programming skills in Python and SQL.
• Experience working with large and complex datasets to solve business problems.
• Familiarity with reliability engineering, survival analysis, warranty forecasting, actuarial modeling, or risk analytics is highly desirable.
• Experience rapidly prototyping analytical solutions using modern AI-assisted development tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop predictive models and statistical methodologies to improve service cost forecasting and business planning.
• Analyze part reliability, failure behavior, service consumption patterns, and installed base trends to identify key service cost drivers.
• Apply statistical, machine learning, reliability, and actuarial techniques to quantify uncertainty, risk exposure, and long-tail service events.
• Design scalable analytical frameworks that enable rapid assessment of reliability and cost impacts across products and technologies.
• Evaluate model performance and continuously improve forecasting accuracy through validation, experimentation, and refinement.
• Define analytical approaches for solving business problems where historical data may be incomplete, sparse, or highly variable.
• Partner closely with Service, Finance, Operations, and Engineering teams to understand business processes, planning workflows, and decision-making needs.
• Translate business challenges into analytical solutions and ensure model outputs align with operational objectives.
• Work with stakeholders to identify how predictive insights can be incorporated into forecasting, planning, cost management, and operational decision-making processes.
• Present findings, assumptions, recommendations, and business impacts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Prototype lightweight prototypes, analytical tools, and proof-of-concept solutions using AI-assisted development techniques to accelerate insight generation and stakeholder adoption.
• Develop simple decision-support tools that make analytical models accessible and actionable for business users.
• Identify opportunities to improve data availability, business processes, and analytical infrastructure to support future modeling capabilities.

Skills

Statistical modeling

Machine learning

Predictive analytics

Forecasting

Python

SQL

Large datasets

Stakeholder management

AI prototyping

Risk analytics

Education

Master's or PhD in Data Science / Statistics / CS / Engineering / Economics

Job description

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale-faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The KLA Services team consists of Service Sales, Marketing, Spares Supply Chain Management, Field Operations, Engineering, Product Training, Digital Solutions and Analytics, and Technical Product Support. Our services organization maximizes the value of our customers' KLA assets - with highly trained service and product support engineers providing installation services and 24/7 technical support and parts delivery through our extensive supply chain network.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

Are you passionate about using data to solve complex business challenges and influence strategic decisions? We are seeking a Data Scientist to advance KLA's service cost analytics and forecasting capabilities.

In this role, you will develop predictive models and analytical frameworks that help the organization better understand service costs, reliability risk, and long-term financial impact. Working with Service, Engineering, Finance, and Operations stakeholders, you will transform data into actionable insights that improve forecasting accuracy, support business decision-making, and drive operational effectiveness.

While the primary focus of this role is advanced analytics and modeling, you will also leverage modern AI-assisted development tools to rapidly prototype lightweight solutions that enable business teams to operationalize analytical insights.

Key Responsibilities

Data Science & Modeling (Primary Focus)

• Develop predictive models and statistical methodologies to improve service cost forecasting and business planning.
• Analyze part reliability, failure behavior, service consumption patterns, and installed base trends to identify key service cost drivers.
• Apply statistical, machine learning, reliability, and actuarial techniques to quantify uncertainty, risk exposure, and long-tail service events.
• Design scalable analytical frameworks that enable rapid assessment of reliability and cost impacts across products and technologies.
• Evaluate model performance and continuously improve forecasting accuracy through validation, experimentation, and refinement.
• Define analytical approaches for solving business problems where historical data may be incomplete, sparse, or highly variable.

Business Partnership & Operational Impact

• Partner closely with Service, Finance, Operations, and Engineering teams to understand business processes, planning workflows, and decision-making needs.
• Translate business challenges into analytical solutions and ensure model outputs align with operational objectives.
• Work with stakeholders to identify how predictive insights can be incorporated into forecasting, planning, cost management, and operational decision-making processes.
• Present findings, assumptions, recommendations, and business impacts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Prototyping & Data Solutions (Secondary Focus)

• Build lightweight prototypes, analytical tools, and proof-of-concept solutions using AI-assisted development techniques to accelerate insight generation and stakeholder adoption.
• Develop simple decision-support tools that make analytical models accessible and actionable for business users.
• Identify opportunities to improve data availability, business processes, and analytical infrastructure to support future modeling capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's, or PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Actuarial Science, Economics, or a related field.
• Experience with statistical modeling, machine learning, predictive analytics, or forecasting.
• Strong programming skills in Python and SQL.
• Experience working with large and complex datasets to solve business problems.
• Familiarity with reliability engineering, survival analysis, warranty forecasting, actuarial modeling, or risk analytics is highly desirable.
• Experience rapidly prototyping analytical solutions using modern AI-assisted development tools.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to connect analytical outputs to business outcomes.

Impact

This role directly influences how KLA forecasts service costs, evaluates business risk, and supports critical operational decisions. Success is measured by the ability to develop accurate, scalable analytical models and ensure those insights are effectively adopted within business processes to improve decision quality and operational performance.

Minimum Qualifications

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

About KLA

We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

Total Rewards

Base Pay Range: $85,200.00 - $124,933.00 AnnuallyPrimary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLA

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. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Use of AI Statement

At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews-whether virtual or in person-is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 [e-mail] or at [phone] to request accommodation.

For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.