Sr. Technical Program Manager - Scanning Electron Microscopy

KLA; United States; On-site; USD 206,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

401(k) matching

ESPP

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness benefits

Job summary

KLA in Milpitas, CA, United States is seeking a Technical Program Manager to lead complex cross-functional programs in eBeam inspection and metrology. You will own program plans, drive execution across engineering, manufacturing, service, and suppliers, and ensure cost, schedule, and quality objectives are met.

You will partner with leaders to optimize product performance, deliver readiness for manufacturing ramp, and maintain executive communications.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering or related field.
• 12+ years of experience in technical program management, systems engineering, product development, or related leadership roles.
• Experience managing complex semiconductor capital equipment and related programs.
• Leadership of large cross-functional teams in a matrix organization.
• Executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Full product lifecycle development including deployment and ramp.
• Strong understanding of SEM and Wafer Inspection Systems.
• Systems engineering for multidisciplinary products.
• Electron optics and charged particle beam technologies.
• Statistics for spec validation and precision motion/mechatronics.
• High-performance computing and software architectures; imaging/inspection algorithms; AI awareness.
• Electronics and control systems; eBeam inspection is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead sophisticated eBeam inspection product development programs.
• Drive program execution across engineering, manufacturing, applications, service, quality, suppliers, and operations organizations to achieve cost, schedule, performance, and quality objectives.
• Develop and maintain coordinated program plans, breakthroughs, resource strategies, risk mitigation plans, and executive-level communications.
• Partner with multi-functional leaders to make technical and business trade-off decisions that optimize product performance, customer value, and program outcomes.
• Build positive relationships with customers and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on requirements, priorities, deliverables, and product readiness.
• Lead beta-site activities, customer engagements, and product introduction initiatives to support successful adoption and manufacturing ramp.
• Anticipate and proactively resolve technical, operational, and organizational challenges that could impact program success.
• Influence product strategy, technology roadmaps, and investment priorities by aligning business objectives, customer needs, and engineering execution.
• Foster collaboration across global teams while driving accountability, decision-making, and execution excellence in a matrixed environment.

Skills

Executive communication

Stakeholder mgmt

Cross-functional

Systems engineering

Lifecycle mgmt

Wafer inspection

SEM knowledge

Electron optics

AI basics

Mechatronics

Education

Doctorate degree

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

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

Are you ready to lead innovation from concept to high-volume manufacturing? Join us as a Technical Program Manager and take ownership of complex, cross-functional programs that shape the future of technology!

Key Responsibilities

• Lead sophisticated eBeam inspection product development programs.
• Drive program execution across engineering, manufacturing, applications, service, quality, suppliers, and operations organizations to achieve cost, schedule, performance, and quality objectives.
• Develop and maintain coordinated program plans, breakthroughs, resource strategies, risk mitigation plans, and executive-level communications.
• Partner with multi-functional leaders to make technical and business trade-off decisions that optimize product performance, customer value, and program outcomes.
• Build positive relationships with customers and internal stakeholders to ensure alignment on requirements, priorities, deliverables, and product readiness.
• Lead beta-site activities, customer engagements, and product introduction initiatives to support successful adoption and manufacturing ramp.
• Anticipate and proactively resolve technical, operational, and organizational challenges that could impact program success.
• Influence product strategy, technology roadmaps, and investment priorities by aligning business objectives, customer needs, and engineering execution.

Foster collaboration across global teams while driving accountability, decision-making, and execution excellence in a matrixed environment.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Systems Engineering, or a related technical subject area preferred.
• 12+ years of experience in technical program management, systems engineering, product development, or related leadership roles.
• Proven experience managing complex semiconductor capital equipment, inspection, metrology, lithography, or advanced technology programs.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale, cross-functional teams within a matrix organization.
• Outstanding executive communication, stakeholder management, and influence skills.
• Experience driving programs through full product lifecycle development, including customer deployment and manufacturing ramp.
• Strong understanding of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Background working with Wafer Inspection Systems
• Proven experience with Systems Engineering for complex multidisciplinary products
• Electron optics and charged particle beam technologies
• Solid Statistics practice leading the Spec validation process
• Precision motion and mechatronic systems
• High-performance computing and software architectures
• Imaging, signal processing, inspection algorithms and good understanding of AI
• Electronics and control systems
• Electron Beam (eBeam) Inspection is a plus

Willingness to travel internationally and domestically up to 15%

Why Join Us?

• Work on ground breaking technology with a global impact.
• Collaborate with world-class authorities across engineering, manufacturing, and marketing.

Be part of a culture that values innovation, customer success, and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 10 years; Master’s Level Degree and related work experience of 12 years; Bachelor’s Level Degree and related work experience of 15 years

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.

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.