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 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 Qualifications

Position Summary

We are seeking a self-motivated Systems Engineer to join the RAPID Advanced Technology team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, analyzing, and validating system-level performance for next-generation advanced optical inspection platforms. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in optical physics or optical engineering, and combines strong analytical skills with hands-on modeling, simulation, and data analysis experience.

You will work closely with optical, mechanical, electrical, algorithm, and manufacturing teams to ensure system requirements are translated into robust, high-performance designs that meet customer and product roadmap needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct feasibility investigation of novel system/subsystem concepts
• Define system requirements, specifications, and verification plans across optical, mechanical, electrical, and control subsystems.
• Develop and maintain detailed error budgets, linking subsystem performance to overall system requirements.
• Perform simulation and data analysis to model and validate system performance
• Work closely with engineering teams on prototype design, implementation and performance validation on tool or experimental bench
• Perform data collection on the tool/bench and data analysis to demonstrate the value of the concept
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions for system/subsystem performance issues
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, applications, manufacturing, and service organizations throughout the product lifecycle.
• Present the results and findings to the team and management

Qualifications

• Strong background in engineering or the physical science and demonstrated analysis and problem-solving skills
• Solid foundation in optical physics, including imaging systems, diffraction, illumination, and wave optics.
• Demonstrated experience in system performance analysis and error budgeting for complex engineering systems.
• Hands-on experience with optical system modeling and simulation tools.
• Experimental experience with optical bench design, building, alignment and measurement is preferred.
• Proficiency in data acquisition, numerical analysis, and visualization, using tools such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts and trade-offs to cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-functional team environment

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 6 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 8 years

Base Pay Range: $159,500.00 - $271,200.00 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.