Senior Staff Optical Engineer

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 284,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) matching

ESPP

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

KLA is seeking a senior optical engineer in Milpitas, CA, to lead the design of optical subsystems for wafer inspection products within BBP. The role focuses on optics, metrology, and alignment, translating requirements into hardware with external suppliers and internal teams.

The candidate will own the optical architecture, perform system-level trade-offs, and ensure design reviews, testing, and release processes are followed.

Qualifications

• PhD with 5+ years of related work experience, or MSc with 8+ years, or BSc with 12+ years.
• Strong background in optics and imaging systems.
• Experience in designing optical subsystems for high-precision inspection tools.

Responsibilities

• Own optical architecture and design options; perform trade-offs among performance, cost and schedule.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to translate requirements into optical, mechanical and metrology specs.
• Develop optical metrology and alignment concepts to meet targets.
• Follow design processes: reviews, procurement, testing, integration and release.
• Solve problems in proto or released inspection systems.

Skills

Optics & photonics

Lens design

Optical metrology

Code V

Zemax

Matlab/Python

Semiconductor inspection experience

DUV/VUV optics

Critical thinking

Education

PhD with related work experience

Master's degree with related work experience

Bachelor's degree with related work experience

Tools

Code V

Zemax

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.

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 Broadband Plasma Division (BBP) provides market-leading patterned wafer optical inspection systems for leading-edge IC manufacturing. Logic, foundry, and memory customers depend on BBP products to detect yield-critical defects for process debug and excursion monitoring at advanced process nodes. BBP flagship products include the 29xx and 39xx series which leverage Broadband Plasma technology to capture a wide range of defects with ultimate sensitivity at the optical inspection speeds needed for inline defect monitoring.

Job Description / Preferred Qualifications

The candidate will join a team of optical engineers within the BBP division to develop innovative wafer inspection products. Optics is the core part of BBP products, which include high-brightness light-sources, broadband coatings, complex optical subsystem and high-speed sensors. This position is responsible for the complete design process of one or multiple optical subsystems to support BBP roadmap:

• Provide technical leadership by owning and investigating optical architecture and design options to find the best option through systematic trade off among different performance metrics as well as costs & schedule implications.
• Closely collaborate with external suppliers and internal functional teams such as technology and system engineering to gather optical performance dependencies. Translate system requirements into optical, mechanical and metrology requirements.
• Develop and implement optical metrology and alignment concepts to achieve the targeted optical performances.
• Follow KLA design processes, including design reviews, part procurement from vendors, testing, integration and release.
• Solve problems that arise within the proto or released inspection systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Solid background in optics, physics or related field such as imaging system aberrations, Fourier optics, polarization, Radiometry etc.
• Hands-on experiences in lens design, especially in diffraction limited large numerical aperture microscope objective lenses.
• Experienced in developing the optical system performance and design requirements
• Experienced in developing optical alignment, error budgets, and metrology for high precision and highly complex optical system.
• Expert user of Code V or Zemax. Proficiency with Matlab or Python.
• Prior experience in semiconductor inspection or lithography equipment is strongly preferred.
• Direct work experiences in DUV or VUV optics is desirable.
• A self-starter with intellectual curiosity, a quick learner who desires to grow by acquiring new knowledge and skills in multi-disciplinary hardware technologies.
• Detail oriented, methodical problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Work well with others in a leading or supporting roles; willing to share knowledge with junior engineers.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 5 years; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 8 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 12 years

Base Pay Range: $167,300.00 - $284,400.00 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.