Group/DivisionWith 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 RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.
Job Description/Preferred QualificationsResponsibilities
- Lead the mechanical design, integration, and validation of complex, multi-chamber subsystems, ensuring structural stability, precision performance, and robust contamination control.
- Design and develop ultra-clean vacuum system hardware, including chamber structures, interfaces, materials/finishes, seals, and internal components, applying UCV principles such as low-outgassing materials, precision cleaning requirements, and contamination-minimizing geometries.
- Develop mechanical concepts and detailed designs for chambers, frames, interfaces, mounts, enclosures, and precision mechanisms; create drawings, specifications, and requirements for cross-functional teams.
- Drive structural, thermal, fluid, and vibrational analyses to optimize component performance and system stability.
- Collaborate closely with optics, metrology, electrical, controls/PLC, software, manufacturing, and service teams to ensure subsystem compatibility and seamless system-level integration.
- Support vacuum-related elements across chambers (e.g., main chamber, stage chamber, transfer chamber, etc.) by defining interfaces, mechanical constraints, and performance requirements that integrate with overall system design.
- Contribute to the development and documentation of vacuum operation schemes (pump-down, roughing, purge, vent, bake/clean cycles), and partner with Controls/SE on interlocks and sequencing.
- Establish and maintain contamination-control strategies-including materials selection, cleanliness/handling guidelines, and UCV-grade component practices-working with Materials Engineering and Supply Chain to evaluate suppliers.
- Perform first-order and detailed analyses for pumping configurations, conductance effects, and subsystem-level performance impacts; collaborate with vacuum specialists as needed for deeper modeling.
- Lead mechanical and system-level design reviews (CDR, DDR), ensuring design requirements flow correctly to partner teams (mechanical, electrical, opto-mechanical, metrology, EFEM/loader, source).
- Own integration of chambers and platform structures for vibration isolation, optical stability, and stage dynamic performance.
- Plan, execute, and oversee test activities-prototype chambers, subsystem test stands, and pre-factory builds-including instrumentation, test methods, data analysis, and acceptance metrics.
- Manage risk through FMEA, issue tracking, corrective actions, and design-for-reliability improvements across NPI and into HVM.
- Mentor engineers, establish best practices (DfX, contamination handling, documentation standards), and maintain engineering artifacts and decision rationale for long-term R&D continuity.
Qualifications
- Education: MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Applied Physics, Materials Science, EE, etc.).
- Experience: 8-12+ years in mechanical design and integration of complex systems (semiconductor equipment, precision instrumentation, multi-chamber tools, or equivalent). Experience collaborating on vacuum operation schemes and PLC-controlled interlocks is a plus but not required as a primary role.
- Technical depth: Strong foundation in mechanical engineering-precision design, structural/thermal/vibration analysis, contamination control, materials/finishes, and system-level integration. Familiarity with vacuum principles (pumping, conductance, gauging, cleanliness) desired.
- Tools: Proficiency in 3D CAD/PLM workflows; experience with analysis tools (ANSYS/COMSOL or similar); scripting (Python/Matlab) for data processing and modeling; collaboration with PLC/HMI teams.
- Soft skills: Demonstrated cross-functional leadership, clear technical communication, supplier interaction, issue-resolution ownership, and mentoring experience.
Minimum QualificationsDoctorate (Academic) or work experience of 2 years, Master's Level Degree or work experience of 4 years, Bachelor's Level Degree or work experience of 5 years
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.
