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

Enabling the movement toward advanced chip design, KLA's Measurement, Analytics and Control group (MACH) is looking for the best and brightest research scientists, software engineers, application development engineers and senior product technology process engineers to join our team. The MACH team's mission is to collaborate with our customers to innovate technologies and solutions that detect and control highly complex process variations—at their source—rather than compensate for them at later stages of the manufacturing process. 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. Our MACH team develops leading-edge solutions for patterning process analytics and control technologies, thereby providing customers with critical insight at the feature level, field level and cross-wafer analysis. Our teams also develop advanced modeling simulation, data analytics and process control modeling technologies. As a member of the MACH team, you’ll be joining the most sophisticated and successful process-control company in the semiconductor industry--working across functions to solve the most complex technical problems in the digital age.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

CUSTOMER APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER – SEMICONDUCTOR LITHOGRAPHY

Some of the chips inside your computer, tablet, and smartphone were probably created with the aid of our software!

We are an international and rapidly growing company serving the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers. Within KLA Corporation—one of the top equipment manufacturers in the semiconductor industry—the MACH division develops advanced software solutions that help customers ensure stable and efficient production processes.

“Our team – multidisciplinary, international, ONE team.”

For our office in Hillsboro, OR we are looking for a Customer Application Engineer to support our US and Global semiconductor customers.

YOUR ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Customer Application Engineer, you will work closely with customers, internal teams, and business units to drive process optimization and product adoption.

Customer & Process Support

Advise and support customers on process optimization and structural improvements in lithography and metrology departments.
Use your technical expertise and MACH Analytics software to address customer challenges and improve manufacturing performance.
Collaborate closely with customers on-site to evaluate and validate new software modules.

Product Applications & Development

Design and implement product applications for MACH Analytics software to deliver maximum customer value.
Support new product introductions, including:
- Characterization
- Alpha and beta testing
- Pilot tools during factory startup phases
Identify customer needs and contribute to defining future product capabilities.

Analysis, Testing & Documentation

Develop and review feature requirements.
Design and execute test plans, collect data, and perform detailed analyses.
Publish results, insights, and recommendations.
Create Best Known Method (BKM) documents, application notes, and related technical materials.
Transfer product and application knowledge to Field Application teams.

Problem Resolution & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Perform product diagnosis and resolve hardware and software issues.
Interface with systems and software engineering teams to ensure timely and effective problem resolution.
Generate demo and test reports for internal stakeholders and customers.

Training, Demos & Business Support

Conduct new product demonstrations and technical training for customers and internal teams.
Showcase differentiated product performance to support sales and product adoption.
Support KLA business units in achieving account and strategic goals.

WHAT YOU BRING

Required Qualifications & Skills

Experience in the semiconductor industry, with a strong focus on lithography.
Hands-on experience with exposure tools is strongly preferred.
University degree in Engineering, Physics, or another relevant natural science discipline. (Not looking for Software Developers or IT professionals)
Excellent written and spoken English.
Strong communication skills and a customer‑focused mindset.
Ability to travel, domestic and international, 25% target, to support our customers

Nice to Have

Python prototyping/programming skills are a plus.
Plasma Etch/CVD/PVD experience also a plus.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years

Base Pay Range: $102,000.00 - $173,400.00 Annually

Primary Location: USA-OR-Hillsboro-Beaverton-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 talent.acquisition@kla.com 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 talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.