Sr. Reliability Engineer - SEM Systems

KLA; United States; On-site; USD 167,000 - 284,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase program (ESPP)

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness benefits

Job summary

KLA is seeking a Sr. Reliability Engineer to advance reliability for SEM systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. You will identify failure mechanisms, investigate root causes, and implement solutions to improve uptime and performance across advanced wafer inspection platforms.

The role requires in-depth SEM knowledge, a strong reliability background, and collaboration with hardware, manufacturing, and supplier teams. Travel ~15% international; competitive compensation and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience developing, supporting, or improving semiconductor capital equipment.
• Deep understanding of SEM or other precision systems (eg. optical microscopy, lithography systems, etc.)

Responsibilities

• Drive reliability and uptime of SEM systems used for wafer inspection and review, targeting industry-leading system availability.
• Evaluate system designs, manufacturing processes, and acceptance testing to identify potential failure modes before they reach customers.
• Develop and implement Design of Experiments (DOE) to validate component and system performance, reliability, and durability.
• Define and assess accelerated life testing, environmental testing, and stress testing, including thermal, vibration, vacuum, contamination, and high-voltage conditions.
• Establish reliability requirements and qualification plans for critical components, subsystems, and complete systems.
• Review design, manufacturing, and test data to ensure products consistently meet reliability and performance targets.
• Partner with suppliers to qualify components, validate manufacturing processes, and ensure compliance with technical requirements.
• Lead factory acceptance and qualification activities to verify products meet specifications before release.
• Investigate field and factory failures using statistical analysis, data science techniques, and advanced modeling tools.
• Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts based on reliability data and root-cause findings.
• Influence engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to implement solutions that improve product robustness and long-term performance.

Skills

SEM Systems

Reliability Engineering

Design of Experiments

Failure Analysis

Data Analysis

Supplier Collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

PhD in a technical field

MS in a technical field

BS in a technical field

Tools

SEMI standards

ISO quality systems

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

Sr. Reliability Engineer - SEM Systems

Join a team solving complex reliability challenges on advanced SEM systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. This is a hands-on engineering role where you’ll identify failure mechanisms, investigate root causes, and drive real-world solutions that improve system performance and uptime. We’re looking for someone who enjoys working closely with hardware, digging into the data, and taking ownership from problem identification through implementation, not just analyzing issues, but fixing them.

Job Duties, but not limited to:

• Drive reliability and uptime of SEM systems used for wafer inspection and review, targeting industry-leading system availability.
• Evaluate system designs, manufacturing processes, and acceptance testing to identify potential failure modes before they reach customers.
• Develop and implement Design of Experiments (DOE) to validate component and system performance, reliability, and durability.
• Define and assess accelerated life testing, environmental testing, and stress testing, including thermal, vibration, vacuum, contamination, and high-voltage conditions.
• Establish reliability requirements and qualification plans for critical components, subsystems, and complete systems.
• Review design, manufacturing, and test data to ensure products consistently meet reliability and performance targets.
• Partner with suppliers to qualify components, validate manufacturing processes, and ensure compliance with technical requirements.
• Lead factory acceptance and qualification activities to verify products meet specifications before release.
• Investigate field and factory failures using statistical analysis, data science techniques, and advanced modeling tools.
• Drive corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts based on reliability data and root-cause findings.
• Influence engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to implement solutions that improve product robustness and long-term performance.

Qualifications, but not limited to:

• Advanced degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience developing, supporting, or improving semiconductor capital equipment.
• Deep understanding of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) or other precision systems (eg. optical microscopy, lithography systems, etc.)
• Familiar with some or all the following:
  • Electron optics
  • Precision mechanical systems
  • High-vacuum systems
  • High-voltage systems
  • Cleanroom and contamination control environments
  • Wafer handling and positioning systems
  • Motion control and automation
• Experience developing qualification plans and executing reliability testing for complex electromechanical systems.
• Strong background in failure analysis, root cause investigation, and reliability engineering methodologies.
• Experience working directly with suppliers on component qualification and manufacturing readiness.
• Ability to influence technical decisions across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supplier organizations.
• Knowledge of semiconductor industry standards, including SEMI standards and ISO quality systems is a plus.
• Willing to travel 15% international

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 5 years; Master’s Level Degree and related work experience of 8 years; Bachelor’s Level Degree and related work experience of 12 years

Base Pay Range: $167,300.00 - $284,400.00 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.

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