Applications Development Engineer

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The ECI Division at KLA delivers chemical metrology and process control solutions that enable precise monitoring and control of critical wet process steps in semiconductor and advanced packaging manufacturing. By providing real time chemical analysis and management systems, ECI helps customers prevent yield limiting defects, stabilize complex metallization and cleaning processes and support next generation device and packaging technologies.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

• Qualifications

• Main qualifications are
  • Good working knowledge of electrochemical analysis (Cyclical voltammetry, cyclical voltametric stripping)
  • Good working knowledge of testing techniques such as spectroscopy, titration, and HPLC.
  • Understands engineering principles and techniques related to area project activities. 
  • Proficiency with personal computers and industry-standard software applications (Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project etc.).
  • Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
  • Self-motivated with ability to multi-task and learn quickly.
  • Strong communication skills especially technical writing skills.
  • Ability to diagnose and resolve basic customer issues.
  • Ability to work alone and/or with limited supervision.
• Secondary qualifications are
  • Working knowledge of major system components and their interactions. 
  • Possesses generalist knowledge of technical areas covered by the department.
  • Good working knowledge of various applications such as wet etch, damascene, and packaging.
  • Ability to speak Mandarin, Korean, or Japanese is a plus

• Job Duties / Expectations

• Primary job duties are
  • Perform typical and atypical lab tests to understand customer concerns and determine possible root causes of process issues
  • Write customer level reports identifying process issue, test procedure and results, and next steps
• Secondary duties are
  • Coordinate transfer of technology from factory to field to ensure readiness and understanding of new metrology systems:
    • Develop collateral material used to support field resolution of metrology issues
    • Develop and deliver training programs
    • Work with field and factory on systems qualification
  • Involved in new technology development and perform technology promotion to customers
  • Work with R&D and Engineering team process characterization and equipment preparation
  • Work with R&D and Engineering team on new product definition, risk assessment, package design, modeling and simulation
  • Oversee assigned project schedules with internal and external team, ensure on-time delivery
• Expected travel is 15% both domestically and internationally for
  • Escalation (troubleshooting) support
  • Customer meetings as R&D expert

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

About KLA

We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

Total Rewards

Base Pay Range: $108,000.00 - $183,600.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-NJ-Totowa-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.

Use of AI Statement 

At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 [email protected] or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.

For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.