NPI System Design Engineer

KLA; United States; On-site; USD 136,000 - 232,000; Full time

Job summary

KLA is seeking a hands-on engineer to drive new sensor products from concept to production, bridging Engineering and Manufacturing. You will ensure manufacturability, scalability and reliability, enabling successful customer deployments.

Ideal candidates bring hardware development experience, NPI success, and strong collaboration with suppliers during ramp-up. This role is based in Milpitas, USA, with a broad focus on DFx, quality, and cost optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher technical degree relevant to electrical hardware
• Experience taking hardware concepts through manufacturing release
• Hands-on experience with lab equipment and testing
• Experience with global suppliers and contract manufacturers

Responsibilities

• Lead NPI activities from prototype through production release
• Coordinate prototype, pilot, qualification, and production builds
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering for production readiness and ramp-up
• Drive DFx initiatives to improve manufacturability, testability, and cost
• Identify risks and mitigation plans across product lifecycle
• Communicate status and risks across multiple teams

Skills

NPI experience

pilot builds

manufacturing ramp-up

cross-functional collaboration

regulatory awareness

Education

Electrical Engineering

Materials Engineering

Physics

Systems Engineering

Tools

Lab equipment

Semiconductor equipment

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

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 dedicate to support customer R&D phase as well as HVM with in-situ thermal process control. SensArray business unit enable APC (Automated Process Control) to improve process optimization and yield improvement.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

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, but not limited to:

• 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

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.