HPC Hardware Engineer

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 161,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(K) with company matching

Tuition reimbursement program

Employee stock purchase program

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas, California is seeking a qualified individual to design and configure HPC clusters to enhance performance and reliability. Responsibilities include validating hardware, assisting in system integration, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Candidates should have foundational knowledge in computer architecture, problem-solving skills, and effective interpersonal abilities.

The position offers a salary range of $95,000 to $161,500 annually, with additional benefits such as medical, dental, and 401(K) matching.

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of computer architecture (CPU, memory, storage, networking).
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Design & configure HPC clusters for performance and reliability.
• Select & validate hardware components for the cluster.
• Integrate clusters into larger product systems.

Skills

HPC cluster design

Basic Linux system administration

Hardware troubleshooting

System integration

Performance benchmarking

Education

Master's Level Degree or Bachelor's Level Degree with 2 years experience

Tools

Python

Bash

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 scientists, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The LS‑SWIFT Division of KLA's Global Products Group provides patterned wafer inspection systems for high‑volume semiconductor manufacturing. Its mission is to deliver market‑leading cost of ownership in defect detection for a broad range of applications in the production of semiconductors. Customers from the foundry, logic, memory, automotive, MEMS, advanced packaging and other markets rely upon high‑sample wafer inspection information generated by LS‑SWIFT products. LS (Laser Scanning) systems enable cost‑effective patterned wafer defect detection for the industry's most sophisticated process technologies deployed in leading‑edge foundry, logic, DRAM, and NAND fabs. SWIFT (Simultaneous Wafer Inspection at Fast Throughput) systems deliver all‑wafer‑surface (frontside, backside, and edge) macro inspection that is critical for automotive IC, MEMS, and advanced packaging processes as well as foundry/logic and memory fabs. LS‑SWIFT operates from a global footprint that includes the US, Singapore, India and Germany, and serves a worldwide customer base across Asia, Europe and North America.

Job Description/Preferred

Key Responsibilities

• Design & configure HPC clusters – Support development of compute cluster architectures optimized for performance, scalability, and reliability
• Select & validate hardware – Assist with component selection (CPU, memory, storage, networking) and support bring‑up, testing, and troubleshooting
• System integration – Help integrate clusters into larger product systems in collaboration with cross‑functional teams
• Performance & system support – Contribute to benchmarking, system tuning, and resolving hardware/software interaction issues
• Cross‑functional collaboration – Work closely with software, manufacturing, and service teams during development and deployment
• Documentation & process support – Document designs, procedures, and troubleshooting steps; contribute to engineering best practices

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to HPC, distributed systems, or server platforms
• Experience with basic Linux system administration or scripting (Python, Bash)
• Familiarity with hardware troubleshooting or system integration
• Understanding of performance benchmarking and system optimization concepts
• Internship or project experience involving system design or cluster environments

Minimum Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge of computer architecture (CPU, memory, storage, networking)
• Basic understanding of Linux systems and operating system concepts
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment
• Master's Level Degree and 0 years related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 2 years

Base Pay Range: $95,000.00 - $161,500.00 Annually
Primary 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.

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 [phone] to request accommodation.