Lead Firmware Engineer

KLA; Ann Arbor Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 97,000 - 164,900; Full time

Job summary

KLA in Ann Arbor, MI is seeking a Firmware Design Engineer to lead development of product equipment, test centers, software, and AI algorithms that power our advanced capabilities.

This role offers growth, strategy influence, and collaboration with the Electronics Engineering team; join a hardworking group in a vibrant Midwest city.

Qualifications

• Experience in embedded processor development with ARM/DSP and C/Python.
• Strong communication and independent work habits.
• Hands-on lab experience debugging MCU assemblies.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically/internationally.

Responsibilities

• Define requirements and specifications for firmware design implementation, communicating strategy to the team.
• Participate in design reviews and program lifecycle analysis.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers to select a microcontroller and optimize interconnections.
• Simulate firmware, test on PCBA, and validate implementations.
• Document firmware for release to production.
• Coordinate with systems and software engineers to test firmware updates.
• Mentor and coach developing engineers.
• Implement Motion Control code for high precision motion applications with PID and beyond.

Skills

Firmware development

Embedded C & Python

ARM DSP

Electrical engineering

Lab instrumentation

Education

Doctorate degree

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Verilog

Oscilloscope

Multimeter

Analyzers

PCB testing

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. Central Engineering is KLA’s largest engineering organization comprised of 9 Centers‑of‑Excellence (CoE) in various disciplines applied across all product groups in the company. These CoE include Handling & Automation, Precision Motion Control, Sensors & Image Acquisition, Platform Design, and Packaging Engineering, among others. Talent includes over 500 engineers across global centers in Israel, China, India, and the US. Each CoE contributes not just talent and deliverables per discipline toward product programs, but also subject matter expertise, best practices, roadmaps, specialized facilities, apparatus, models, and analytics. These differentiate KLA not only in WHAT we do, but also in HOW we do it.

Job Description / Preferred Qualifications

KLA is bringing the semiconductor industry to the Midwest! We need a Firmware Design Engineer on our growing Ann Arbor team to lead the development of product equipment, test centers, software, and AI algorithms that power innovative capabilities that KLA is recognized for. This role offers opportunities for professional growth, including increased scope and influence in defining strategy and supporting the Electronics Engineering team. By joining our hard‑working KLA team in Ann Arbor, you’ll enjoy an incredible career with encouraging colleagues in a spectacular place to live.

Responsibilities

• Define requirements and specifications for firmware design implementation, while using your strong communication skills to inform your team of the firmware strategy and direction.
• Participate in design reviews and program lifecycle analysis.
• Work interactively with electrical engineers to select a microcontroller and optimize the microcontroller interconnections.
• Simulate firmware, validate and test firmware implementation on Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA).
• Document firmware for release to production.
• Work with systems and software engineers to test and implement firmware updates.
• Mentor and coach developing engineers.
• Implement Motion Control code for high precision motion applications with PID and beyond.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Knowledge of electrical engineering principles
• Work independently and have a track record of organizing, designing, documenting, and delivering completed assemblies.
• Experience preferred developing, writing, and debugging code for embedded processors (ARM and DSP, preferred); able to comfortably work in C and Python; Verilog is a plus.
• Hands‑on lab experience debugging microcontroller assemblies
• Experience with electrical lab tools (hand tools, multimeter, oscilloscope, analyzers, etc.) for testing and debugging firmware in real‑time on PCBAs.
• Experience leading projects, teams, etc. is a plus
• Travel up to 20% with the ability to be flexible for domestic and international travel based on business needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master’s Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor’s Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years

Base Pay Range: $97,000.00 - $164,900.00 annually. Primary Location: USA‑MI‑Ann Arbor. 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.

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 +1-408‑352‑2808 to request accommodation.