Systems Design Engineer (Physics/Optics)

Base Pay Range: $149,000.00 - $253,300.00 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 identified below. Interns are eligible for some of the benefits identified below.

Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed above reflects the minimum and maximum pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

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 Film and Scatterometry Technology (FaST) Division provides industry leading metrology solutions for worldwide semiconductor IC manufacturers. The FaST Division portfolio of metrology products includes hardware and software solutions for optical film thickness, optical critical dimension (CD), composition, and resistivity measurement systems. These products are essential for the IC manufacturers as they provide critical metrology capabilities for the development and implementation of their advanced IC processes.

The FaST division is committed to support our customers to achieve performance entitlement of our solution and we effectively partner with our customers from their early research and development phase to the high volume in-line manufacturing implementation specific for their process needs. The division consists of a global team located in US, Israel, China, and India.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Job Description

We are looking for a dedicated and creative Experimental Physicist/ System Design Engineer! You will be part of our Research and Development of a novel metrology technologies for film stacks and critical dimensions measurements.

Responsibilities

You will develop optical systems from the stage of basic idea to LAB prototype with responsibility to perform theoretical study, analyze architectures and develop setups, operate sophisticated equipment, engagement with market leading suppliers for sophisticated components and subsystems prototyping. You will derive specifications for a system by developing error budgets and performing system level analysis as sensitivity and tolerance analysis.

As part of the team your responsibilities will include active participation in solution of technology limiters and performance limiters, teamwork with your peers and collaboration with Marketing, Engineering, and management teams!

Required Skills

• Theoretical knowledge in Physical Optics, optical systems, lasers, plasma sources, detectors, and image sensors

• Deep technical understanding in HW technologies and Systems Engineering

• Hands-on experience in design, specification, and development of sophisticated electro-optical setups

• Knowledge and experience in development and prototyping of components, subsystems, and devices.

• Analytical skills, able to develop a system model and perform system error budget analysis

• Data collection and analysis using MATLAB/Python/LabVIEW

• Hard-working and independent, ability to work under uncertainty with minimal directive from management

• Organized, able to define work plans, DOEs, test plans and complete by defined plans

• Representative, able to present technical reviews and drive decision turning points

• Knowledge of semiconductor process and process control is an advantage

• Experience with X-ray, DUV, VIS-IR metrology systems is a strong advantage

Minimum Qualifications

Typically requires Doctorate (Academic) or work experience of 2 years , Master's Level Degree or work experience of 4 years , Bachelor's Level Degree or work experience of 5 years

The company offers a total rewards package that is competitive and comprehensive including but not limited to the following: 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.

KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other status protected by applicable law.

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.