NPI System Design Engineer

KLA-Belgium; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 136,300 - 231,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) matching

ESPP

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas, CA is seeking an experienced hardware/NPI engineer to drive products from concept to production. You will ensure manufacturability, reliability, and scalable deployment for sensors used in semiconductor manufacturing.

You will lead cross-functional teams, coordinate prototype-to-production builds, and implement DFx initiatives while mitigating risks and ensuring quality. This role offers exposure to cutting-edge hardware and collaboration with global suppliers and manufacturing

Qualifications

• Doctorate, Master’s, or Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• Experience with NPI, pilot builds, and manufacturing ramp-up.
• Hands-on hardware development and productization experience.
• Proven ability to take hardware designs from concept to manufacturing release.
• Experience with lab equipment and working with global suppliers.
• Understanding of regulatory and safety requirements is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead NPI activities from prototype through production release.
• Drive the transition of new products from engineering development into manufacturing.
• Coordinate prototype, pilot, qualification, and production builds.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure production readiness and successful ramp-up.
• Develop and implement build plans, validation activities, and manufacturing readiness reviews.
• Support first-article builds, product qualifications, and production launches.
• Drive Design for Excellence (DFx) initiatives, including manufacturability, assembly, testability, reliability, serviceability, quality, and cost.
• Identify technical risks and implement mitigation plans throughout the product lifecycle.
• Work with multi-functional teams to resolve issues discovered during builds and early production.
• Support manufacturing test strategies and product validation efforts.
• Improve yield, quality, and production efficiency through data-driven problem solving.
• Ensure manufacturing documentation is complete and ready for release of BOMs, work instructions, test procedures, etc.
• Partner closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Suppliers.
• Support supplier and contract manufacturer engagement during product development and ramp.
• Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for product and manufacturing issues.
• Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations across multiple teams.

Skills

NPI experience

Hardware development

Manufacturing ramp-up

Lab equipment experience

Education

Doctorate in Engineering

Master's in Engineering

Bachelor's in Engineering

Tools

Global suppliers

Contract manufacturers

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 been made 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 invests 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.

Division

The SensArray division is the world leading provider of in‑situ processing measurement and control solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides measurement and control solutions to both semiconductor fabs and mask shops to ensure that yields are consistently high thus enabling cost‑effective manufacturing. SensArray business unit is dedicated to supporting customer R&D phase as well as HVM with in‑situ thermal process control. SensArray business unit enables APC (Automated Process Control) to improve process optimization and yield improvement.

Job Description

You will play a meaningful role in bringing innovative sensor products from concept to production. This position sits at the intersection of Engineering and Manufacturing, ensuring new products are manufacturable, scalable, reliable, and ready for successful customer deployment.

Job Duties

• Lead NPI activities from prototype through production release
• Drive the transition of new products from engineering development into manufacturing
• Coordinate prototype, pilot, qualification, and production builds
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure production readiness and successful ramp‑up
• Develop and implement build plans, validation activities, and manufacturing readiness reviews
• Support first‑article builds, product qualifications, and production launches
• Drive Design for Excellence (DFx) initiatives, including manufacturability, assembly, testability, reliability, serviceability, quality, and cost
• Identify technical risks and implement mitigation plans throughout the product lifecycle
• Work with multi‑functional teams to resolve issues discovered during builds and early production
• Support manufacturing test strategies and product validation efforts
• Improve yield, quality, and production efficiency through data‑driven problem solving
• Ensure manufacturing documentation is complete and ready for release of BOMs, work instructions, test procedures, etc.
• Partner closely with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Suppliers
• Support supplier and contract manufacturer engagement during product development and ramp
• Drive root cause investigations and corrective actions for product and manufacturing issues
• Communicate technical status, risks, and recommendations across multiple teams

Required Qualifications

• Technical degree in Electrical Engineering, Material Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering
• Experience in electrical hardware development and productization
• Proven experience with NPI, pilot builds, and manufacturing ramp‑up
• Demonstrated success taking hardware designs from concept through manufacturing release
• Strong hands‑on experience with lab equipment
• Experience working with global suppliers and contract manufacturers
• Familiarity with semiconductor equipment, industrial systems, or high‑reliability products
• Experience in mixed‑signal systems, power distribution, or system‑level electrical design
• Understanding of regulatory, safety, and compliance requirements is a plus

Ideal Candidate

You are a hands‑on engineer who enjoys taking products from development into production. You thrive in fast‑paced environments, enjoy solving manufacturing and product challenges, and are energized by working across teams to launch innovative hardware products successfully.

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

$136,300.00 – $231,700.00 annually. The range 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.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(k) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement, development and career growth opportunities, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits, employee assistance program, paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.

Equal Opportunity Employment

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. If you have a disability or need an accommodation, please contact [e-mail] or call +1‑408‑352‑2808. KLA never asks for any financial compensation for consideration for an interview or offer of employment. KLA does not work with recruiters or third parties who charge such fees. Please verify any job posting on KLA’s Careers website. We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.