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 RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Your Role: Lead, Innovate, Grow

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Embedded Software Engineer to join our dynamic team within the RAPID division. In this role, you will be instrumental in designing, developing, and sustaining the complex embedded software that powers our industry-leading reticle inspection systems. You will provide technical leadership, mentor team members, and contribute significantly to the architecture and implementation of real-time control systems, sensor image capture pipelines, and hardware interfaces.

We are looking for exceptional technical leaders who possess the aptitude and ambition to grow into an engineering & project management role within KLA over the next few years. You will have opportunities to develop leadership skills, influence team direction, and contribute to project planning and execution, preparing you to take on project management responsibilities.

Job Responsibilities:

Lead the Charge: Spearhead the design, development, and deployment of complex software/firmware for machine control in semiconductor inspection systems. Project involves demanding real-time embedded applications developed using C/C++ for electro-mechanical control system running on a real-time operating system (RTOS) such as real-time Linux, VxWorks for a high-reliability application.
Architect the Future: Design and implement robust, scalable software for system control, high-speed data acquisition, image processing, and intricate hardware interaction. Understand system level requirements and translate them into software design and implementation.
Collaborate Across Boundaries: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with brilliant minds in multidisciplinary areas like mechanical, systems engineering, electrical, optics, opto-mech, algorithms, and applications to build truly integrated solutions.
Mentor and Inspire: Guide junior engineers, share your expertise, and cultivate a team environment focused on technical excellence and growth.
Drive Best Practices: Champion modern software development methodologies (Agile, CI/CD, automated testing) to ensure quality and efficiency. Define and execute test plans to measure the performance of key subsystems. Document, analyze and present the testing results.
Solve Tough Problems: Dive deep to troubleshoot complex system-level issues and optimize performance-critical software.
Shape the Strategy: Contribute to project planning, risk management, and technical roadmap discussions. Participate in all stages of development, including design, implementation, deployment, testing and troubleshooting.

Required Skills & Qualification:

MS in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science/Control Systems or similar fields.
8+ years of working experience in an industrial environment in the field of embedded software development.
Strong knowledge of C/C++ programming, Object-Oriented Design & Programming (OOD & OOP).
Strong knowledge of Linux/RTOS OS environment, multi- threading, synchronization and SW architecture design.
Knowledge of communication protocols like Serial-RS232, Ethernet/EtherCAT/ TCP-IP socket/network communication and related programming.
The candidate should have strong analytical capabilities, strong written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills to communicate and present their software design for reviews. Must demonstrate perseverance and ability to work collaboratively within a team setting.
Excellent communication skills. Self-motivated to excel in responsible tasks. Possess high curiosity, be a fast learner, and have the strive to turn prototype ideas into quality production code used in mission critical applications.
Strong software debugging and troubleshooting skills are required.

Preferred (nice to have) Skills:

Hands on experience and laboratory exposure to electrical, mechanical and optical measurement instruments
Experience in semiconductor fab operations/manufacturing technology.
Linux administration knowledge and UML knowledge.
Knowledge of Python or other scripting language
Knowledge of motion control system with Stepper/Servo/Piezo motors, servo control loop (e.g., PID), classical or modern control theory.
Systems thinking based on first principle and physics.
Project planning and management skills.

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: $154,900.00 - $263,300.00 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 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.