Sr. Manager Advanced Process Technology - Plasma Etch

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 206,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

401(K) with company matching

ESPP

Job summary

KLA is seeking a Senior Plasma Etch Technology Leader in Milpitas, CA. You will drive advanced research, shape technology roadmaps, and guide engineering teams to deliver next‑generation plasma etch solutions. Expect collaboration with R&D, product, and executive stakeholders to translate market insights into product direction.

The role requires 15+ years of plasma etch experience, MS/PhD in a related field, and strong leadership. Domestic/international travel around 20% is anticipated.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in a relevant semiconductor discipline and 15+ years of plasma etch equipment/tech experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in plasma etch process development, chamber hardware, and manufacturing challenges.
• Experience shaping product strategy through customer engagement and market analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced research initiatives on emerging plasma etch technologies and manufacturing trends.
• Develop long-term technology roadmaps aligned with customer needs and industry requirements.
• Provide technical leadership to engineering teams in design and development of future etch products and platforms.
• Mentor a team of scientists and engineers and drive innovation in plasma etch.
• Represent KLA with customers, industry groups, and conferences.

Skills

Plasma etch process development

Chamber hardware

Semiconductor device manufacturing

Education

MS/PhD in Chemical Engg / EE / Physics / Materials Science or related semiconductor discipline

Job description

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 SPTS division provides advanced wafer processing solutions- including etch, deposition and vapor-based technologies- designed for R&D through high-volume production. With a global presence and strong customer support network, SPTS helps manufacturers across industries improve performance, yield and cost-efficiency. It also offers comprehensive service and spare parts through a worldwide network of service centers and qualified local agents.

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. KLA is seeking a highly accomplished Sr. to lead technology research and strategic development activities within our Plasma Etch organization. This individual will serve as a recognized technical leader responsible for identifying emerging plasma etch technology trends, understanding future customer requirements, and translating market insights into next-generation product strategies. In this role, you will collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and executive leadership teams to drive technology roadmaps, influence future product architectures, and support the successful launch of advanced plasma etch solutions. Your deep understanding of etch processes, chamber technologies, materials interactions, and semiconductor device scaling will be instrumental in shaping KLA's future technology direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead advanced research initiatives focused on emerging plasma etch technologies and semiconductor manufacturing trends.
• Develop long-term technology roadmaps aligned with customer needs and industry requirements.
• Serve as a key technical advisor to engineering teams in the design and development of future etch products and platforms.
• Evaluate evolving customer device architectures, process challenges, and technology inflections to identify new business and product opportunities.
• Provide technical leadership in areas including plasma physics, process development, chamber materials, hardware architecture, and process integration.
• Partner cross-functionally with R&D, product management, marketing, field applications, and executive stakeholders to define strategic investment priorities.
• Drive technical assessments of competitive technologies, market trends, and emerging semiconductor manufacturing requirements.
• Lead and mentor a team of scientists and engineers while fostering innovation and technical excellence.
• Support new technology introductions and product launches from concept through commercialization.
• Represent KLA with key customers, industry consortiums, technical conferences, and strategic partners.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in plasma etch process development, chamber hardware, and advanced semiconductor device manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of customer technology roadmaps, logic and memory device scaling trends, and semiconductor manufacturing challenges.
• Experience influencing product strategy and technology direction through customer engagement and market analysis.
• Proven track record leading cross-functional technical programs and technology development efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized industry expert in plasma etch technologies.
• Experience leading technology teams, research organizations, or advanced development groups.
• Deep knowledge of chamber materials, plasma-surface interactions, RF systems, process integration, and advanced device architectures.
• Strong customer-facing and executive communication skills with the ability to translate technical insights into business strategy.
• Experience supporting product commercialization and technology adoption in high-volume manufacturing environments.

Travel

Approximately 20% domestic and international travel.

Minimum Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related semiconductor discipline.
• 15+ years of experience developing plasma etch equipment, processes, or semiconductor manufacturing technologies.

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: $205,800.00 - $360,200.00

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.

Additional Information

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If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to [e-mail] to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.