Software Engineer II (Distributed / Scalable Systems)

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 136,000 - 232,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) match

ESPP

Job summary

KLA Milpitas, CA is hiring a software engineer to own features end‑to‑end in critical semiconductor equipment software. You will work with hardware, systems, and software teams to deliver scalable solutions deployed on precision equipment.

The role emphasizes performance, reliability, and multi‑threaded or distributed systems. Experience with Docker and Kubernetes is valued.

Qualifications

• Doctorate or Master’s with related work experience; senior role expectations.
• Experience developing production software in C#, Java, or Python and building scalable systems.
• Experience designing data-driven applications and database concepts (SQL/NoSQL).
• Experience deploying containerized apps with Docker and orchestrating with Kubernetes.

Responsibilities

• Drive end‑to‑end software feature development in production‑grade systems.
• Translate requirements into scalable software designs in a multi‑disciplinary environment.
• Contribute to architecture discussions for robust, extensible solutions.
• Write high‑quality production code with emphasis on performance and reliability.
• Analyze complex issues and implement durable fixes in production.

Skills

C#

Java

Python

Distributed systems

SQL/NoSQL

Docker

Kubernetes

OOP

Education

Doctorate degree

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

SQL

NoSQL

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. First to deliver the best imaging and classification data for every defect or point on any layer at any time. EBeam’s mission encapsulates its role as the “eyes” of KLA’s product line, providing timely information on defects and critical locations on the wafer at the highest spatial resolution possible. Customers use EBeam products alongside KLA patterned and bare wafer inspectors to quickly understand the nature of defects and other imperfections on product wafers and take action to correct the manufacturing process.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Join a team building software that runs at the core of some of the most advanced semiconductor systems in the world. In this role, you won’t just ship code, you’ll own features end-to-end, solve complex system‑level problems, and see your work deployed on highly sophisticated equipment that operates at scale.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end development of software features within complex, production‑grade systems—from requirements through design, implementation, testing, and release
• Translate ambiguous system and customer requirements into scalable, maintainable software designs in a multi‑disciplinary environment
• Contribute to architecture and design discussions, ensuring solutions are robust, extensible, and aligned to long‑term system evolution
• Write high‑quality, production‑level code with a strong emphasis on performance, scalability, and reliability across distributed or multi‑threaded systems
• Identify, analyze, and resolve complex technical issues; perform root cause analysis and implement durable fixes in production environments
• Proactively assess and mitigate technical risks, influencing design decisions and driving trade‑off discussions with cross‑functional stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with hardware, systems, and interdisciplinary engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions on complex equipment platforms
• Contribute to code reviews, mentor junior engineers, and uphold best practices in software development, testing, and documentation
• Operate with a high level of ownership and accountability, balancing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, delivery‑focused environment

Qualifications

• Industry experience in software development (Master’s preferred or equivalent experience), building and delivering production software systems
• Strong proficiency in object‑oriented programming and design, with hands‑on experience implementing scalable software systems
• Experience developing in C#, Java, or Python, with demonstrated ability to write production‑quality code
• Experience working with databases (SQL or NoSQL) and designing data‑driven applications
• Solid understanding of software architecture principles, data structures, and algorithms
• Proven ability to debug and troubleshoot complex systems, with experience in multi‑threaded or distributed environments
• Experience working on medium‑to‑large scale software projects with measurable impact (not just academic or short‑term work)
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering teams
• Develop, deploy, and manage containerized applications using Docker, ensuring efficient packaging and consistency across environments.
• Orchestrate and scale applications on Kubernetes, handling cluster configuration, deployments, and monitoring for high availability and performance.

What Differentiates You

• Experience working in system‑level or hardware‑integrated environments (instrument control, machine software, or similar)
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of features or subsystems and drive them to production
• Comfort operating in complex systems where software interacts with physical hardware or large‑scale infrastructure

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.