Mechanical Design Engineer (CAD design and FEA)

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Employee stock purchase program (ESPP)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas, CA is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead a major redesign of an semiconductor inspection module, covering Ultra-High Vacuum, High Voltage, and precision mechanical interfaces. You will design, analyze, document, and prototype components while collaborating with systems, electron optics, electrical, and manufacturing teams to meet reliability and cost goals.

The role requires strong CAD skills (Creo/ProE), GD&T, FEA, and experience with vacuum environments.

Qualifications

• Doctorate with related work experience or Master with 3+ years and Bachelor with 5+ years.
• Experience with vacuum, UHV, or cleanroom environments.
• GD&T, tolerance analysis, and precision design experience.
• Vacuum-compatible materials and contamination control knowledge.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (Creo/ProE) and FEA.
• Strong communication and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical designs for UHV and HV subsystems and assemblies.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, drawings, and BOMs.
• Apply GD&T and tolerance analysis; perform error budgeting.
• Support redesigns for reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Conduct structural, thermal, vibration, and FEA analyses.
• Participate in design reviews and release production docs.
• Collaborate with suppliers on fabrication methods and quality.
• Support prototype builds, qualification, and production transfer.
• Investigate failures and drive root-cause actions.
• Coordinate with Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and Manufacturing teams.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Vacuum/UHV design

High voltage considerations

GD&T

Vacuum materials

Machining & fabrication

Prototype testing

Creo/ProE

FEA

Team collaboration

Education

Doctorate (Academic) Degree

Master’s Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Creo/ProE

FEA tools

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. The RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

The Mechanical Design Engineer will support a major redesign of an existing semiconductor inspection module involving Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV), High Voltage (HV), precision mechanical assemblies, and complex electro-mechanical interfaces. The engineer will be responsible for mechanical design, analysis, documentation, prototype development, assembly support, supplier engagement, and product lifecycle support.

The candidate will work closely with systems, electron optics, electrical, manufacturing, process, and supplier teams to deliver robust and manufacturable designs while maintaining system performance, reliability, serviceability, and cost objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical designs for UHV and HV subsystems, assemblies, and supporting hardware.

• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and BOMs.

• Apply GD&T principles, tolerance stack-up analysis, and error budgeting methodologies.

• Support redesign efforts for existing products with emphasis on reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability improvements.

• Conduct engineering analyses including structural, thermal, vibration, and finite element analysis (FEA).

• Participate in design reviews and support release of production documentation.

• Work with suppliers to develop fabrication methods, resolve manufacturability issues, and improve component quality.

• Support assembly, integration, qualification, and troubleshooting activities.

• Investigate failures and drive root-cause corrective actions.

• Collaborate across Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, Electron Optics, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Service organizations.

• Support prototype builds and product introduction into manufacturing.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Good understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, physics, and precision engineering.

• Experience designing assemblies operating in vacuum, UHV, or cleanroom environments.

• Knowledge of high-voltage system considerations including insulation, creepage, clearance, and electrical interfaces.

• Experience with GD&T, tolerance analysis, and precision mechanical design.

• Familiarity with vacuum-compatible materials, cleaning requirements, and contamination control practices.

• Working knowledge of machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, brazing, and precision manufacturing processes.

• Experience supporting prototype builds, troubleshooting, and qualification testing.

• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

• Proficiency with Creo/ProE or similar 3D CAD platforms.

• Experience with FEA and engineering simulation tools preferred.

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: $117,800.00 - $200,300.00 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.