Mechanical Design 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 Film and Scatterometry Technology (FaST) division delivers industry-leading metrology solutions essential to advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Its portfolio includes systems for measuring film thickness, critical dimensions, composition, and resistivity—key to developing and scaling next-gen IC processes. FaST partners closely with customers from early R&D through high-volume production, ensuring performance and process alignment.

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.

The Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for developing innovative mechanical design solutions that meet demanding performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements. This role spans the full product lifecycle—from requirements definition and feasibility through prototype validation and manufacturing release—and involves close collaboration across engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities will include:

• Driving requirement specification
• Conduct feasibility studies
• Conceptual and detailed design, detailed drawings, using 3D solid modeling (ProE/Creo)
• Conducting various analysis, such as fluid, thermal, vibrational, and FEA modeling
• Understanding of Geometric Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Detailed tolerance stack-up analysis
• Hold design reviews throughout design process
• Procurement of prototype parts
• Prototype assembly and testing
• System integration and testing
• Create assembly and test procedures
• Documentation release and handoff to manufacturing.
• These tasks will require working with other engineering groups such as Optics engineers, Systems engineers and Manufacturing + Service engineers to ensure flawless integration and test at the subsystem and system level.
• Work closely with and manage suppliers to ensure all design requirements are specified and achieved.
• Address and resolve product issues through the product phases.

Design challenges may also include:

• Precision design with large tolerance stack-ups
• Ultra-high vacuum design

Qualifications Desired

• In-depth understanding of manufacturing processes such as machining, welding, sheet metal forming and 3D printing
• Driving requirements specification
• Basic/Intermediate knowledge of precision machine design
• Basic knowledge of vacuum systems a plus
• Solid understanding of statics, mechanics of materials, fluid flow and heat transfer
• Experience in 3D solid modeling (Creo or Solidworks preferred.)
• Familiar with manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding fabrication and castings.
• Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, including design principles, machine elements, materials, fabrication methods.
• Experience/knowledge in several of these areas: opto-mechanical systems, vacuum systems, design of inspection equipment or similar instruments, motion controls, electronics, tooling & test fixture design, supplier management, new product introduction, manufacturing support
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Desire to contribute to team efforts to accomplish overall objective.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to multi-task, detail oriented.
• Ability to adapt and persevere in the fast-paced semiconductor industry

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: $117,800.00 - $200,300.00 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.