Lead Software Architect, Semiconductor Metrology (C++)

Socket.dev; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(K) with company matching

Employee stock purchase program

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas, CA is seeking a highly experienced Sr. Software Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and development of complex C++ systems powering next-generation semiconductor inspection and metrology products.

You will work with systems engineers, algorithms, and product teams to deliver high-performance software, establish scalable architectures, and mentor engineers across multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of professional software development experience with a strong emphasis on C++ development.
• Proven experience designing and delivering large-scale, complex software systems from architecture through deployment.
• Deep expertise in object-oriented design, software architecture, design patterns, and modern C++ development.
• Strong understanding of multi-threaded, distributed, and high-performance software systems.
• Experience developing software for complex engineering, scientific, semiconductor, or hardware-integrated applications.
• Demonstrated ability to architect scalable and maintainable software solutions that span multiple products and teams.
• Strong debugging, troubleshooting, and performance optimization skills in complex software environments.
• Experience with SDLC, code reviews, automated testing, CI/CD workflows, and software quality practices.
• Ability to influence technical direction, lead design discussions, and drive consensus across engineering organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead architecture, design, and implementation of complex software systems using modern C++.
• Define scalable, high-performance architectures aligned with product roadmaps.
• Drive software design decisions, conduct architecture reviews, and establish technical standards across teams.
• Develop robust frameworks, libraries, and reusable components that improve product consistency and engineering productivity.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including systems engineering, algorithms, hardware engineering, and product development to deliver integrated solutions.
• Analyze complex technical requirements and translate them into elegant, scalable software designs.
• Drive resolution of critical system-level issues through root cause analysis and architectural improvements.
• Evaluate and introduce new technologies, tools, and development methodologies through proof-of-concept initiatives.
• Promote engineering excellence through best practices in software design, code quality, testing, automation, and CI/CD.
• Optimize software performance, scalability, reliability, and maintainability across distributed and real-time systems.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers across multiple projects.
• Influence long-term software strategy and contribute to future platform and product architecture decisions.
• Communicate complex technical concepts, tradeoffs, and architectural recommendations to engineering and business stakeholders.

Skills

C++ development

Large-scale software

Architecture & design

Multi-threaded systems

Distributed systems

SDLC & CI/CD

Mentoring engineers

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Linux

Git

CI/CD tooling

Performance profiling

Job description

KLA in Milpitas, CA is seeking a highly experienced Sr. Software Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and development of complex C++ systems powering next-generation semiconductor inspection and metrology products.

You will work with systems engineers, algorithms, and product teams to deliver high-performance software, establish scalable architectures, and mentor engineers across multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.