Optics Research Scientist

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

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas is seeking an Optical Engineer/Research Scientist to support next-generation optical system research and development. This exciting role involves working closely with experienced optical engineers to develop capabilities for high-performance optical systems used in semiconductor manufacturing.

Ideal candidates will hold a Ph.D. in fields such as Optical Engineering or Physics, and will be involved in modeling, analysis, and design of optical systems, with significant opportunities for mentorship and technical growth in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Applied Physics, or Electrical Engineering.
• Familiarity with optical design and simulation tools required.
• Experience with physics simulation tools like COMSOL is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support modeling and analysis of advanced wafer-inspection optical systems.
• Assist in design and evaluation of objective lenses.
• Collaborate with teams on system architecture challenges.

Skills

Optical system design

Modeling and analysis

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in Optical Engineering or related fields

Tools

Zemax

MATLAB

Python

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 Office of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) plays a critical role in developing advanced long‑range technology in collaboration with product divisions and strategic marketing, working on future technology like light sources, lasers, and sensors. We are engaged in the research and development process, and once the technology is mature, we partner with product engineering groups who then build products based on the technology we've developed. The Office of the CTO also provides technical input into KLA's strategic planning process, program reviews and Product Life Cycle (PLC) phases. We provide our broad technology expertise and cross‑division experience to ensure we leverage the collective knowledge within our company.

Job Description & Preferred Qualifications

The Office of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is seeking an optical engineer/research scientist to support next‑generation optical system research and development! This role is ideal for candidates who are passionate about optics/physics/math, eager to learn, and interested in developing expertise in advanced optical system R&D for semiconductor inspection and manufacturing applications!

The successful candidate will work closely with experienced optical engineers and multi‑functional teams to develop modeling, analysis, and design capabilities for high‑performance optical systems. This position offers significant opportunities for mentorship, technical growth, and hands‑on experience with real‑world engineering challenges in optics manufacturing and system design and integration.

The role will be a development opportunity, where the candidate can steadily build expertise in optical design, system tradeoffs, manufacturing considerations, and collaboration across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Support modeling and analysis of advanced wafer‑inspection optical systems
• Assist in the design and evaluation of objective lenses and related optical subsystems
• Learn and apply optical system design principles, including performance, manufacturability, and cost tradeoffs
• Perform optical simulations, tolerance analysis, and data analysis using industry‑standard software tools as well as proprietary algorithms
• Collaborate with senior engineers and multi‑functional teams on system architecture and design challenges
• Work with internal teams and external suppliers to understand practical considerations in optics fabrication and manufacturing
• Participate in experiments, testing, and validation activities for optical system performance
• Contribute to documentation, technical reviews, and design discussions
• Develop familiarity with semiconductor inspection technologies and high‑precision optical engineering practices

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields with knowledge of, or experience in, optics, optical system design, optical metrology, or photonics
• Familiarity with optical design and simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V, OSLO, or similar software
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or similar programming environments for modeling and data analysis
• Solid understanding of geometrical optics, physical optics, imaging systems, and optical tolerancing
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication and collaboration skills

Desired

• Experience with UV or deep‑UV optical systems
• Experience with optical metrology and fabrication
• Familiarity with optomechanical systems or semiconductor equipment
• Experience with physics simulation tools such as COMSOL, Lumerical, or similar platforms
• Internship or research experience related to optics or imaging systems

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields

Additional Information

Base Pay Range: $136,300.00 – $231,700.00 Annually

Primary Location: USA‑CA‑Milpitas‑KLA

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 [e-mail] or +1‑408‑352‑2808 to request accommodations.