Sr. Electron Optical Systems Design Engineer

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 186,000 - 273,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

401(K) including company matching

Employee stock purchase program (ESPP)

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

KLA is seeking a senior engineer to advance electron optical technologies in Milpitas, leading subsystem design and validation for next‑gen inspection and metrology platforms.

Role encompasses architecture, modeling, experimental validation, and close collaboration with Manufacturing, Systems, and Software teams to ensure robust, manufacturable solutions.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electron Optics, Electrical/Electromagnetics Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in electron optics, charged‑particle systems, semiconductor equipment, microscopy, or related fields.
• Strong expertise in several of the following areas: Electron sources, Electron optics simulation, Charged‑particle optics, Detector physics, High‑voltage systems, Vacuum systems, Calibration methodologies, Advanced SEM architecture, Aberration analysis and correction.

Responsibilities

• Electron Optical Architecture & Technical Leadership: Lead the development of electron optical subsystems for new products and advanced technology programs. Define subsystem requirements, performance budgets, and interfaces across electron sources, columns, detectors, deflection systems, calibration solutions, and vacuum subsystems.
• Electron Optical Design: Lead design and optimization of subsystems, including sources, lenses, aberration correction, beam transport, and detection systems.
• Analysis & Modeling: Apply advanced electron optics modeling, charged‑particle simulation, aberration analysis, beam transport, detector signal formation, noise/SNR prediction, tolerance analysis, HV/calibration strategies using MEBS, SIMION, Python.
• Experimental Validation: Define and execute validation plans; characterize source, lens, detector, and beam performance; correlate simulations with data; lead root‑cause investigations.
• Product Development & Manufacturing Support: Support transition from concept to production; drive qualification, issue resolution, and DfX; collaborate with Manufacturing, Service, Systems, Software, and suppliers.

Skills

Electron optics

Technical leadership

Modeling & analysis

Beam transport

Detector physics

Education

PhD in Physics or related field

Tools

MEBS

SIMION

Python

Custom simulations

Job description

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.

Preferred Qualifications

Mission Lead the design, analysis, validation, and optimization of advanced electron optical systems and subsystems that enable industry‑leading inspection, review, and metrology performance. Drive innovation in electron sources, electron columns, detectors, and related technologies while providing technical leadership within product and advanced development programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Electron Optical Architecture & Technical Leadership Lead the development of electron optical subsystems for new products and advanced technology programs. Define subsystem requirements, performance budgets, and interfaces across electron sources, columns, detectors, deflection systems, calibration solutions, and vacuum subsystems. Conduct technical trade studies, contribute to technology roadmaps, lead design reviews, and mentor junior engineers. Serve as a technical expert within assigned areas and influence key engineering decisions.
• Electron Optical Design Lead the design and optimization of advanced electron optical subsystems, including electron sources, lenses, aberration correction, beam transport, and detection systems. Develop solutions that improve resolution, current density, throughput, stability, and manufacturability. Drive subsystem performance from concept through validation while providing technical guidance to project teams.
• Analysis & Modeling Apply advanced expertise in electron optics modeling, charged‑particle simulation, aberration analysis, beam transport, detector signal formation, noise and SNR prediction, tolerance analysis, high voltage and calibration strategies using tools such as MEBS, SIMION, Python, and custom simulation frameworks.
• Experimental Validation Define and execute validation plans for electron optical subsystems. Characterize electron source, lens, detector, and beam performance, including resolution, stability, throughput, and signal quality. Correlate simulation results with experimental data, develop calibration and alignment methodologies, and lead root‑cause investigations of complex technical issues.
• Product Development & Manufacturing Support Support the transition of electron optical technologies from concept through production. Drive performance qualification, issue resolution, and DfX improvements. Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Service, Systems, Software, and suppliers to deliver robust, reliable, and manufacturable solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electron Optics, Electrical/Electromagnetics Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related technical discipline. 8+ years of experience in electron optics, charged‑particle systems, semiconductor equipment, microscopy, or related fields. Strong expertise in several of the following areas: Electron sources, Electron optics simulation, Charged‑particle optics, Detector physics, High‑voltage systems, Vacuum systems, Calibration methodologies, Advanced SEM architecture, Aberration analysis and correction.

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

Base Pay Range: $186,200.00 - $273,067.00 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.

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.