Optical 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 e-Beam division plays a critical role in KLA’s inspection ecosystem, with tools that deliver high-resolution, timely insights into defects and critical locations on the wafer. Used alongside KLA’s patterned and bare wafer inspectors, e-Beam systems help our customers quickly identify and understand yield-impacting issues—enabling faster, more effective actions to correct the manufacturing process.

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.

First to deliver the best imaging and classification data for every defect or point on any layer at any time.

EBeam’s mission encapsulates its role as the “eyes” of KLA’s product line, providing timely information on defects and critical locations on the wafer at the highest spatial resolution possible. Customers use EBeam products alongside KLA patterned and bare wafer inspectors to quickly understand the nature of defects and other imperfections on product wafers and take action to correct the manufacturing process.

Our dynamic e-beam technology team is seeking an electron optics engineer to refine current technologies and orchestrate the development of next-generation solutions.

In this role, you will dive into a hands-on role in the development and calibration of innovative electron beam systems. You will be at the forefront of technological advancements, driving impactful projects that shape the future of our industry. If you're passionate about making a difference and leading the charge, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Hands-on operation, maintenance, and calibration of electron beam tools or benches.
• Develop and run experiments to characterize systems and mitigate critical risks, ensuring top performance and reliability.
• Analyze, diagnose, and deliver practical, high-impact solutions for challenging technical problems.
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams and communicate effectively with customers.
• Enjoy opportunities for global engagement, with up to 10% travel for vendor and customer interactions.
• Develop and document training material, troubleshooting procedures and Best Known Methods (BKMs).
• Coordinate tool schedules and train other users on operation of tools.

Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Mathematics, Materials, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or equivalent technical experience.
• Hands-on experience with system level trouble shooting, diagnostics, and calibration of scanning electron microscopes e.g. SEM.
• Fundamental knowledge of electron optics, surface science and imaging.
• Outstanding analytical ability, clear communication, and presentation skills; a self-starter who thrives in team settings.
• Demonstrated ability to act independently, plan and drive work to resolution.
• Proficiency with electron optics simulation tools (e.g., MEBS, OPERA, ANSYS, COMSOL), scripting languages (Matlab, Python, C++) is a plus.
• Semiconductor capital equipment experience is a plus.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Level Degree and 0 years related work experience

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: $79,600.00 - $135,300.00 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.

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.