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 Broadband Plasma Division (BBP) provides market-leading patterned wafer optical inspection systems for leading-edge IC manufacturing. Logic, foundry, and memory customers depend on BBP products to detect yield-critical defects for process debug and excursion monitoring at advanced process nodes. BBP flagship products include the 29xx and 39xx series which leverage Broadband Plasma technology to capture a wide range of defects with ultimate sensitivity at the optical inspection speeds needed for inline defect monitoring.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

As an Image Computer (IMC) team member, this engineer will work with other team members to design, build, and test high-speed, high-throughput IMC using off-the-shelf and custom-built components.

Major responsibilities include 

• Participate in all phases of FPGA design flow - from concept to wafer inspection tool integration.

• Able to derive FPGA design requirements from system requirements.

• Responsible for Rage pro

• TL design and verification, as well as hardware bring-up.

• Implement logic/control blocks, including custom filters, DSP/image processing blocks, a high-speed image data path, and a processor and memory interface to support real-time processing.

• Optimize FPGA designs for the area, speed, and power to meet system requirements; analyze architectural trade-offs and validate for system sample rate and latency.

• Verify DSP/image processing blocks against Python/MATLAB models and collaborate with systems engineers.

• Run implementation tools, such as Xilinx Vivado and Intel Quartus; perform timing closure for your designs.

• Bring up and validate FPGA design in the lab and utilize various lab equipment.

• Collaborate with software engineers to integrate the design into the wafer Inspection tools.

• Contribute to all phases of hardware development, including creating design documents, reviewing schematics, bringing up new hardware, and defining/overseeing/performing unit and system tests.

• Validate FPGA design for manufacturing release.

Qualifications/Education Desired

• Experience designing DSP and/or image processing datapath

• Experience in working with FPGAs

• Some experience designing hardware (schematic entry, layout, etc.) is a plus

• Strong programming and scripting skills: MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Perl, Tcl

• Understanding of clock domain crossing (CDC) techniques

• Experience in FPGAs, evaluation boards, and knowledge of FPGA design flow

• Understanding industry-standard interfaces, protocols, and architectures: PCIe, Ethernet, DDR, etc.

• Experience in developing automated, self-checking test benches and/or UVM

• Experience in EDA tools such as simulators (e.g., Questa), and FPGA tools (e.g., Vivado, Quartus)

• Knowledge of timing closure techniques for high-speed design

• Strong interpersonal/written/verbal communication skills and experience with cross-functional collaboration

• Strong teamwork skills combined with the ability to work autonomously as an individual contributor 

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) or work experience of 0 years , Master’s Level Degree or work experience of 2 years , Bachelor’s Level Degree or work experience of 3 yearsBase Pay Range: $114,100.00 - $194,000.00 AnnuallyPrimary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLAKLA’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 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 [email protected] 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 websitefor 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 [email protected] to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.