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

As a Product Development Engineer, you will contribute to the development of semiconductor inspection systems by independently executing well-defined system and subsystem engineering tasks within established product architectures. You will apply systems engineering fundamentals, gain hands-on exposure to model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and support power, control, and safety-related design activities under the technical direction of senior engineers. This role emphasizes professional-level execution, growing technical judgment, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Product Development & Systems Engineering Execution

Execute assigned system and subsystem engineering tasks within defined scope and schedule.
Apply established requirements, interface, and verification processes to product development activities.
Decompose higher-level requirements into subsystem-level requirements with guidance.
Prepare and maintain engineering documentation in accordance with KLA product development processes (PLC).
Participate in technical design reviews as a contributing engineer.

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Application

Develop and update MBSE artifacts (e.g., functional views, interface definitions, requirement links) for assigned subsystems.
Use system models to understand interactions between mechanical, electrical, software, and control elements.
Ensure consistency between requirements, models, and implemented designs.
Apply MBSE outputs to support troubleshooting, design clarification, and trade-off discussions.

Power, Control & Safety Design Support

Contribute to subsystem-level power distribution, control behavior, and safety-related design elements.
Support definition of operating modes, fault responses, and safety interlocks within existing architectures.
Work with electrical, controls, and software engineers to implement defined safety and control requirements.
Review subsystem designs for compliance with documented system assumptions and safety constraints.

System Safety & Risk Analysis (FMECA / HAZOP)

Participate in FMECA, HAZOP, and risk assessment activities for assigned subsystems.
Document failure modes, effects, and mitigation actions using established templates and processes.
Track and close assigned action items resulting from safety and reliability analyses.
Incorporate approved mitigations into design and verification artifacts.

Integration, Test & Issue Resolution

Support subsystem and system integration activities during prototype and development builds.
Assist with root cause analysis of integration, test, or field issues using structured problem-solving methods.
Collaborate with manufacturing, test, and service teams to resolve design-related issues within assigned scope.
Feed lessons learned back into design updates and documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

PhD degree (Engineering or Physical Science) with 2+ years of relevant experience; or Masters degree with 4+ years of relevant experience.
Familiarity with requirements management and model-based engineering tools is a plus.
Experience supporting manufacturing ramp and yield improvement.
Willingness to travel for customer support or engineering collaboration (up to 25%).
Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills; creative and persistent approach to resolving technical issues.
Effective communication skills; able to document findings and collaborate across teams.

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: $117,800.00 - $200,300.00 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.