Hardware Project Manager - Opto-Mechanical focus

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 Broadband Plasma (BBP) division is the market-leading optical inspection system used by logic, foundry, and memory customers to detect critical defects at advanced nodes. These tools combine broadband plasma technology with unmatched sensitivity and speed to support high-volume manufacturing.

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.

Lead and coordinate Opto-Mechanical (OptoMech) development activities across BBP programs, ensuring project schedules, materials, and supplier activities are managed effectively to enable successful product development and manufacturing readiness.

Program Planning & Execution

• Lead and coordinate OptoMech development activities across multiple projects.
• Define, track, and drive project milestones, deliverables, and schedules.
• Identify schedule risks and work with engineering leads to develop mitigation plans.
• Provide regular project status updates to management and stakeholders.

Material Tracking & Build Readiness

• Own material tracking across all active projects.
• Monitor procurement status, lead times, shortages, and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Engineering teams to ensure build readiness.
• Drive resolution of material-related schedule impacts

Vendor & Supplier Management

• Assess, qualify, and onboard new machine shop and component suppliers.
• Manage supplier performance related to quality, cost, and delivery.
• Coordinate RFQs, quote reviews, and supplier selection activities.
• Maintain strong relationships with strategic vendors to support development and ramp needs.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with OptoMech, Optics, Electrical, Software, Systems, Manufacturing, and Program teams.
• Facilitate communication between engineering teams and external suppliers.
• Track action items, risks, and dependencies across projects.
• Support engineering change implementation and hardware release activities.

Metrics & Reporting

• Develop and maintain dashboards for schedule, material, supplier, and project status.
• Identify bottlenecks and drive continuous process improvements.
• Present program status, risks, and mitigation plans to leadership.

Desired Qualifications

• Technical degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Management, or related field.
• Experience managing complex hardware development programs.
• Strong project scheduling and milestone tracking skills.
• Experience with supply chain, manufacturing operations, and material planning.
• Supplier qualification and vendor management experience.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Semiconductor capital equipment experience preferred.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and evidence of relevant experience OR

Master's Level Degree with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor's Level Degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant 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: $136,300.00 - $199,900.00 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.