Manufacturing Systems Engineer - Optics

KLA-Belgium; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 83,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA Milpitas seeks a Manufacturing Design Engineer II to support manufacturing operations, NPI, and continuous improvements for advanced optical inspection systems. You will work with Systems, Optics, Software, and Manufacturing Engineering to ensure manufacturability, reliability, and scalable production.

Ideal candidates bring a strong technical foundation, 1–3 years of related experience, and a collaborative mindset to solve manufacturing challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, Manufacturing Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 1–3 years of engineering experience in manufacturing, NPI, product engineering, optics, or related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and schematics.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.

Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing operations and NPI activities for advanced optical inspection systems.
• Assist in integration, assembly, and qualification of precision optical and opto-mechanical systems.
• Collaborate with Systems, Optics, Software, and Manufacturing Engineering teams to resolve production issues.
• Analyze manufacturing data and support process improvement using statistical methods.
• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective actions to improve quality.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, work instructions, and best-known methods.
• Support design for manufacturability (DfM) initiatives and provide feedback to engineering teams.
• Assist with BOM creation, engineering changes, and manufacturing readiness.
• Interpret engineering drawings to support manufacturing and troubleshooting.
• Work with suppliers and internal quality teams on material and component quality.
• Support cross-functional projects focused on yield, cost, quality, and cycle-time improvements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Reading schematics

Cross-functional teamwork

Data interpretation

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (Mechanical/Ophthalmic/Physics/Manufacturing)

Tools

SolidWorks/Creo/NX

Python

MATLAB

Statistical tools/MES

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 KLA has manufacturing sites worldwide. The Global Operations (GOPS) team, comprised of Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Installation and Quality, builds our leading-edge technology. GOPS partners with KLA's global supply base and design engineering teams to develop new products, working continuously to build better, faster and more cost-efficient solutions.

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.

Job Description

As a Manufacturing Design Engineer II, you will support manufacturing operations, new product introduction (NPI) activities, and continuous improvement initiatives for sophisticated optical inspection systems. Working alongside experienced engineers, you will help ensure products are manufacturable, reliable, and scalable while supporting the transition of new technologies into production. This role is ideal for an engineer with a strong technical foundation who enjoys solving manufacturing challenges in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support manufacturing operations and NPI activities for advanced optical inspection systems.
• Assist in the integration, assembly, and qualification of precision optical and opto-mechanical systems.
• Collaborate with Systems, Optics, Software, and Manufacturing Engineering teams to investigate and resolve production issues.
• Analyze manufacturing data and support process improvement efforts using statistical methods and data-driven problem solving.
• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action activities to improve product quality and reliability.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, work instructions, and best-known methods.
• Support design for manufacturability (DfM) initiatives and provide feedback to engineering teams.
• Assist with bill of material (BOM) creation, engineering change implementation, and manufacturing readiness activities.
• Interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and CAD models to support manufacturing and troubleshooting activities.
• Work with suppliers and internal quality teams to address material and component quality issues.
• Support cross-functional projects focused on yield improvement, cost reduction, quality enhancement, and cycle-time reduction.
• Travel up to 15-20% as required to support suppliers, manufacturing sites, or business needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, Manufacturing Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 1-3 years of engineering experience in manufacturing, NPI, product engineering, optics, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and schematics.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to semiconductor equipment, optics, imaging systems, precision manufacturing, or high-tech capital equipment.
• Experience with statistical analysis, data analysis tools, or manufacturing execution systems (MES).
• Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or similar scripting/programming languages.
• Understanding of optical alignment, metrology, or opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Experience working with CAD tools such as SolidWorks, Creo, or NX.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across global engineering organizations.

What Success Looks Like

• Quickly becomes proficient with BBP products and manufacturing processes.
• Resolves manufacturing issues with guidance from senior engineers.
• Contributes to process improvements that enhance product quality, manufacturability, and efficiency.
• Builds strong cross-functional relationships and effectively supports NPI and sustaining manufacturing activities.

Minimum Qualifications Master's Level Degree and 1 years related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 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: $83,400.00 - $122,333.00 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.

• 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
• 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 at [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. We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.

Additional Information

Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to [e-mail] to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.