Software Engineering Manager (semiconductor/capital equipment)

KLA-Belgium; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 246,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

401(k) match

ESPP

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas, CA is seeking a Software Engineering Manager to lead the Diagnostics & Calibration software team for EUV reticle inspection systems. You will drive technical leadership, people management, and delivery of diagnostic and calibration software, partnering with physicists, hardware engineers, and global software groups.

The role is hands-on and rewards curiosity, with opportunities to apply AI/ML, guide architecture, and improve reliability and scalability across multi-language

Qualifications

• Multidisciplinary background in physical science, computer science, microscopy, optics, or relevant fields.
• 8+ years of software development experience, 2+ years in technical leadership.
• Familiarity with AI tools for SW development (e.g. Devin, Codex).
• Familiarity with LLMs/generative AI and agentic frameworks.
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools (Git, Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps).
• Proficiency in Python, C++, or C#.
• Experience building medium to large-scale software in multi-developer environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow a Diagnostics & Calibration software team.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural oversight for multi-language systems.
• Learn and guide existing software architecture to meet program goals.
• Lead exploration and application of AI/ML and generative AI techniques.
• Translate system requirements into clear design directions and execution plans.
• Improve software reliability, maintainability, performance, and scalability.
• Partner with hardware, subsystem, system, and manufacturing teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Lead design and code reviews and delivery commitments.

Skills

Python

C++

C#

AI/ML familiarity

CI/CD

Communication

Leadership

System-level software

LabVIEW

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

LabVIEW

Job description

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale-faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices.

Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials.

We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics.

The RAPID division leads the industry in reticle inspection solutions, helping ensure high lithography yields and cost-effective semiconductor manufacturing. Its systems support both mask shops and fabs by detecting defects early in the process, enabling faster, more reliable production.

What you'll do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Software Engineering Manager to lead the Diagnostics & Calibration software team for EUV actinic reticle inspection system. This role will be responsible for technical leadership, people management, and delivery execution for software that diagnoses and calibrates KLA’s reticle inspection platforms. We are looking for a leader who is energized by problems that are one of a kind and is not afraid to push the limits of creativity. If you are someone who will leverage the current wave of AI and motivate the team to spin up a proof-of-concept over a weekend because you are curious this role is for you. You will partner closely with physicists, hardware engineers, system teams, and global software organizations to translate complex system-level requirements into robust, scalable diagnostic and calibration solutions. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a manager who enjoys growing teams while remaining technically engaged.

• Lead, and grow a high-performing Diagnostics & Calibration software team.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural oversight for multi-language software systems.
• Learn and understand existing diagnostics and calibration software architecture, and guide development to meet program goals.
• Lead exploration and application of AI/ML and generative-AI techniques - LLMs, agents, and automation - to build applications and internal tools that improve diagnostics, calibration, developer productivity, and data analysis.
• Translate system-level and user requirements into clear technical direction, software design, and execution plans.
• Drive design excellence to improve software reliability, maintainability, performance, and scalability.
• Partner cross-functionally with hardware, subsystem, system, manufacturing, and service teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Lead design reviews, code reviews, and development best practices across the team.
• Own delivery commitments including planning, execution tracking, and risk management.
• Experience and familiarity with industry standard CI/CD pipelines and workflows to support reliable and efficient release of software.
• Support root-cause analysis of complex system-level issues and guide the team toward effective, sustainable solutions.
• Travel occasionally to global sites and customer locations to support integration, bring-up, and deployment activities (10-20%).

Minimum Qualifications

Multidisciplinary background in either Physical science, Computer science, Microscopy, Optics, or relevant fields with either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant field.

• 8+ years of software development experience, with 2+ years in a technical leadership or engineering management role.
• Strong background in system-level software development involving hardware-software interaction.
• Familiarity with using AI tools for SW development (e.g. Devin, Codex)
• Familiarity with building applications using LLMs / generative AI and agentic frameworks, and integrate them into engineering workflows.
• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and practices (e.g., Git, Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps)
• Proficiency programming languages such as Python, C++, or C#.
• Experience developing medium to large-scale software applications in multi-developer environments.
• Demonstrated ability to translate user needs and system requirements into technical specifications and executable plans.
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience diagnosing and resolving complex system-level issues.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in globally distributed teams.
• Self-motivated leader with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

Preferred but not required

Experience in diagnostics, calibration, machine control, inspection, or metrology systems.

• Familiarity with computer vision, image processing, or image analysis techniques.
• Proficiency in LabVIEW (object-oriented design preferred).
• Hands‑on experience in semi‑capital equipment (semi-CAPEX) product environments.

About KLA

We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

Total Rewards

Total Rewards Base Pay Range: $167,400.00 - $245,533.00 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.

Use of AI Statement

At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews - whether virtual or in person - is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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. For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website. We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.