Senior Optical Engineer

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

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas, CA, seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to design, develop, and qualify optical subsystems for our inspection tools. You will create optical models, perform tolerance analyses, and lead design reviews with systems, hardware and software teams.

Lead the design of metrology systems, manage supplier interactions, and ensure performance targets are met through rigorous testing and validation in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Optical design in imaging and illumination systems delivering in-spec performance, cost and manufacturability on time.
• Statistical optical component and alignment tolerancing.
• Able to create specs for precision opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Proficiency in optical Modeling software such as Code V or Zemax or LightTools.
• Non-sequential ray tracing using LightTools for high precision optics surface scattering and stray light analysis.
• Optical module and system build, alignment and debugging.
• Test stand design and build: concept, error budget, realization.
• Knowledge with objectives, collimators, CGH, relay optics, fibers, cameras, lasers and detectors.
• Strong understanding in optics and physics enabling analysis of complex optical phenomena.
• Proficiency in Matlab and Python.

Responsibilities

• Investigate different design options and evaluate tolerances, manufacturability, light budgets and trade-offs.
• Translate system requirements into optical design and manufacturing requirements.
• Perform thorough tolerancing analysis for complete system design including alignment and metrology.
• Design and implement optical alignment and metrology processes and tooling fixtures.
• Follow complete design process: reviews, procurement, testing, integration, release.
• Investigate issues from customers or manufacturing and provide design solutions or work-arounds.
• Propose optical design improvements to enhance tool performance (SNR, throughput).
• Debug and solve optical problems arising with the system.

Skills

Optical design

Tolerance analysis

Opto-mechanical assemblies

Matlab

Python

Education

Doctorate (PhD) in Optical Engineering or Physics

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Code V

Zemax

LightTools

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

We are looking for a Senior Optical Engineer to design, develop, build and qualify various optical subsystems that make up the inspection tool! Your work will include optical system design, optical alignment methodology, and analysis of various optical modules. You will also lead the design of a custom metrology system to verify and adjust the optical performance of our primary optical system. You will interact closely with the systems engineering group to define performance criteria and system level specification. During the design phase, you will work with hardware and software design teams following a rigorous product design protocol. Additional tasks include creating optical models, statistical tolerance analysis, performance predictions, leading design reviews, creating test procedures, and selecting suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Investigate different design options and finding the best option through evaluating tolerances, manufacturability, light budgets and other trade-offs.

• Translate system or subsystem requirements into optical design and manufacturing requirements.

• Perform thorough tolerancing analysis to have a complete system design with full consideration of alignment process and metrology, system calibrations and opto-mech design limitations by working with other groups (systems, ME).

• Design and implement optical alignment and metrology process, test/tooling fixtures to achieve targeted optical performance.

• Follows complete design process, including design reviews, part procurement from vendors, testing, integration, and release.

• Investigate issues from customers or manufacturing and provide option design solution or work-around.

• Propose optical design improvements to enhance a tool performance such as SNR or throughput or manufacturability.

• Debug and solving of any optical problems that arise with the system.

Qualifications

• Optical design in imaging and illumination systems delivering in-spec performance, cost and manufacturability on time.

• Statistical optical component and alignment tolerancing

• Able to create specs for precision opto-mechanical assemblies

• Proficiency in optical modeling software such as Code V or Zemax or LightTools

• Non-sequential ray tracing using Light Tools to model high precision optics surface scattering, conduct stray light analysis

• Optical module and system build, alignment and debugging

• Test stand design and build: concept, error budget, realization

• Knowledge with diverse optical devices and components such as objectives, collimator, CGH, and relay optics, fibers, cameras, lasers and detectors

• Strong understanding in optics and physics enabling to analyze complex optical phenomena

• Proficiency in computing language such as Matlab, Python

Skills

• Ability to learn and apply new information or skills.

• Strong customer focus and commitment to customer satisfaction through prioritization, quality, efficiency, and professionalism.

• Ability to complete assignments with attention to detail and high degree of accuracy.

• Ability to perform effectively in a demanding environment with changing workloads and deadlines.

• Result driven-demonstrate ownership and accountability.

• Identifies bottlenecks and drives improvements.

• Work independently or as part of a team and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision.

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with manager, co-workers, and customer.

• Be able to quickly acquire technical knowledge from documentation and on-the-job training and be capable of thoroughly investigating technical issues (analytically and hands-on in a lab).

• Strong communication and presentation skill. Must have capability to clearly communicate progress and status of assignments to colleagues, key stakeholder, managers via documents or presentations.

Experience

• Product development or research experience in high precision optics or optical module.

• Experience in working with engineers across disciplines to solve complex problems in a timely manner.

Preferred

• Masters or PhD in Optical engineering (preferred) or Physics

• Three to five years of professional experience in high end optical system development; microscope experience is a bonus

• Experience in high precision optical tools’ manufacturing is bonus, not mandatory.

• Highly desired to have strong background in following areas: Geometrical optics, Fourier optics, Lens design, Radiometry, Optical metrology, Illumination optics, Optical imaging system, Optical alignment, Polarization, Optical aberration

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.