Lead Optical Engineer – Wafer Inspection & Metrology

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 284,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) matching

ESPP

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

KLA is seeking a senior optical engineer in Milpitas, CA, to lead the design of optical subsystems for wafer inspection products within BBP. The role focuses on optics, metrology, and alignment, translating requirements into hardware with external suppliers and internal teams.

The candidate will own the optical architecture, perform system-level trade-offs, and ensure design reviews, testing, and release processes are followed.

Qualifications

• PhD with 5+ years of related work experience, or MSc with 8+ years, or BSc with 12+ years.
• Strong background in optics and imaging systems.
• Experience in designing optical subsystems for high-precision inspection tools.

Responsibilities

• Own optical architecture and design options; perform trade-offs among performance, cost and schedule.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to translate requirements into optical, mechanical and metrology specs.
• Develop optical metrology and alignment concepts to meet targets.
• Follow design processes: reviews, procurement, testing, integration and release.
• Solve problems in proto or released inspection systems.

Skills

Optics & photonics

Lens design

Optical metrology

Code V

Zemax

Matlab/Python

Semiconductor inspection experience

DUV/VUV optics

Critical thinking

Education

PhD with related work experience

Master's degree with related work experience

Bachelor's degree with related work experience

Tools

Code V

Zemax

Job description

KLA is seeking a senior optical engineer in Milpitas, CA, to lead the design of optical subsystems for wafer inspection products within BBP. The role focuses on optics, metrology, and alignment, translating requirements into hardware with external suppliers and internal teams.

The candidate will own the optical architecture, perform system-level trade-offs, and ensure design reviews, testing, and release processes are followed.