Sr. System Design Engineer (DUV, VUV plasma sources)

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

Benefits offered by this job

401K matching

Employee stock purchase program (ESPP)

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Company holidays

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas, CA is seeking a Sr. System Design Engineer to lead next-generation hardware development, from technology evaluation to architecture decisions, and to define system-level requirements.

You will run experiments and simulations to predict performance, manage trade-offs, and guide subsystems through calibration, interfaces, and diagnostics, while mentoring a team of engineers.

Qualifications

• Experience leading engineers to achieve program goals.
• Development of next-gen DUV/VUV plasma sources.
• Expertise in lasers, plasma, light generation, vacuum, high pressure.
• Experience with opto-mechanical, laser and thermal systems.
• Proficiency in LabVIEW and mechanical CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead next-generation product development from evaluation to architecture decisions.
• Perform experiments and simulations to predict system performance.
• Define top-level specifications and flow down to subsystems and components.
• Manage a team and drive trade-off studies for complex systems.

Skills

Team leadership

DUV/VUV plasma sources

Lasers and plasma

Opto-mechanical systems

LabVIEW

Education

PhD

MS

BS

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD

CREO

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 Broadband Plasma (BBP) division is the market-leading optical inspection system used by logic, foundry, and memory customers to detect critical defects at advanced nodes. These tools combine broadband plasma technology with unmatched sensitivity and speed to support high-volume manufacturing.

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

Responsibilities

The Sr. System Design Engineer will have a lead role in next generation product development, from technology evaluation and selection, specifications development, product validation and verification. Responsibilities will include execution of experiments and simulations to predict candidate system performance and leading a team in trade-off studies required to make major architecture decisions on complex systems. The engineer will be responsible for top level system specifications and flow down to subsystem and component level specifications, system error budgets, interface definition, calibrations, and diagnostics.

Qualifications

• Ability to effectively lead a team of engineers to achieve program goals.
• Development of next generation DUV and VUV plasma sources for BBP.
• Expertise in lasers, plasma, light generation, vacuum, high pressure and clean HW development.
• Experience in developing complex opto-mechanical, laser and thermal systems.
• LabView and mechanical SW (SolidWorks, CAD, CREO) skills are highly desired.
• The ideal candidate should have a PhD of 10+ years , MS degree of 12+ years, or BS degree of 15+ years experience.

Minimum Qualifications

PhD + 5 years, MS + 8 years, Bachelor + 12 years

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. 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.