Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer (Opto-Mechanical/Thermal Systems)

KLA; Milpitas (CA); On-site; USD 141,300 - 240,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(K) with company matching

Employee stock purchase program

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

KLA is seeking a skilled opto-mechanical design engineer in Milpitas. The successful candidate will design and prototype the next generation of broadband plasma wafer inspection systems and work closely with teams across various disciplines to ensure top quality product launches.

Required qualifications include a Doctorate or equivalent experience, proven track record in opto-mechanical designs, and familiarity with CAD tools like Creo or ANSYS. A collaborative spirit and experience in heat transfer simulations are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Design and build broadband plasma (BBP) wafer inspection assemblies.
• Use CAD and simulations (Creo, ANSYS) for product development.
• Ensure coordination with systems, optical, electrical, and software engineers.

Responsibilities

• Design opto-mechanical assemblies for wafer inspection.
• Collaborate with various teams for successful product launches.
• Implement designs from requirements to production.

Skills

Design and prototype opto-mechanical assemblies

Use of CAD and simulation packages

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Knowledge of tolerance analysis

Experience with heat transfer and structural simulations

Education

Doctorate (or equivalent) with 3 years experience

Master’s Level Degree with 6 years experience

Bachelor’s Level Degree with 8 years experience

Tools

Creo

ANSYS

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. 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.

Qualifications

• Design, prototype, and build the next generation of broadband plasma (BBP) wafer inspection opt‑mechanical assemblies.
• Use CAD and simulation packages such as Creo and ANSYS to guide and implement your designs.
• Work with cross‑functional teams to ensure we’re making the best possible product including working with systems, optical, electrical, and software engineers.
• Collaborate with the manufacturing and support organizations to ensure smooth product launches and to help resolve product issues.
• Should have a track record of successful opto‑mechanical designs starting from requirements to released to production.
• Knowledge of tolerance analysis, optical mounting, alignment and adjustment strategy development, life time estimation, and actuator selection are all important for the role.
• Experience with heat transfer and structural simulations strongly preferred.
• CAD experience is a must, Creo preferred but not mandatory.
• Full‑time onsite required.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Master’s Level Degree and related work experience of 6 years; Bachelor’s Level Degree and related work experience of 8 years

Base Pay Range: $141,300.00 – $240,200.00 Annually Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLAKLA’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 +1‑408‑352‑2808 to request accommodation.

Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. 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.