Company OverviewKLA 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/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 QualificationsAs a Product Development Engineer, you will drive system capability through
data analytics, data reduction, and predictive analysis. The role emphasizes translating high-volume tool and sensor data into actionable insights that improve system performance, reliability, and manufacturability. You will work at the intersection of hardware, software, and analytics to enable data-driven design decisions and scalable product solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Data-Driven System Development
- Define, collect, and analyze source data from semiconductor inspection and process systems to characterize performance and failure modes.
- Develop data reduction strategies to transform raw, high-dimensional data into meaningful metrics for engineering and manufacturing use.
- Build and maintain analysis pipelines to support system validation, design trade studies, and product optimization.
Advanced Analytics, AI & Predictive Methods
- Apply statistical analysis, machine learning, and predictive modeling to detect trends, anomalies, and precursors to system degradation.
- Collaborate with algorithm, software, and hardware teams to integrate analytics and AI models into product workflows.
- Use predictive insights to improve uptime, yield, and design robustness across product lifecycles.
System Integration & Technical Execution
- Contribute to subsystem integration (optical, mechanical, electrical, software) with a focus on data observability and diagnosability.
- Support prototype bring-up, system characterization, and engineering validation using data-centric methods.
- Participate in design and technical reviews, clearly communicating data-backed recommendations.
Product & Manufacturing Enablement
- Support manufacturing ramp and field performance by enabling analytics-based monitoring and troubleshooting.
- Develop technical documentation, dashboards, and analysis reports to scale knowledge across teams.
- Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure data requirements are aligned with product and customer needs.
Preferred Qualifications- PhD in Engineering or Physical Sciences; or MS with 3+ years; or BS with 5+ years of relevant experience.
- Experience applying machine learning or AI techniques to system diagnostics, prediction, or optimization.
- Experience working with large data sets from hardware systems, sensors, or manufacturing tools.
- Familiarity with model-based systems engineering, requirements management, or digital twins.
- Willingness to travel for customer support or engineering collaboration (up to 25%).
Minimum QualificationsDoctorate (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
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.
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 or at +1- 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 website for 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 to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.
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