Product 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 KLA Services team consists of Service Sales, Marketing, Spares Supply Chain Management, Field Operations, Engineering, Product Training, Digital Solutions and Analytics, and Technical Product Support. Our services organization maximizes the value of our customers' KLA assets – with highly trained service and product support engineers providing installation services and 24/7 technical support and parts delivery through our extensive supply chain network.

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.

In this role, you will serve as the central technical resource / interface with Software and Hardware design engineering, manufacturing, technical support, quality, marketing and field as the product(s) move through the Product Life Cycle. Will be fully integrated and working directly with aforementioned teams to incorporate value added serviceability, reliability and service business practice improvements into product design.  Works to optimize serviceability, reduce cost-of-service through all stages of the PLC (Product Life Cycle), and improve short- and long-term product service revenue performance. Involvement lasts throughout all stages of a product’s lifecycle to ensure system level product performance is continuously tracked and meets established specification. Drives continuous improvement of system hardware, diagnostics and software, tooling, technical documentation, knowledge management, and training. 

Job Scope and Complexity: 

• Strong knowledge of overall system operation, system integration, and system calibrations

• Influence early PLC designs to include features that will optimize KLA’s service business: calibrations and diagnostics, Cost of Service (CoS), reliability, design tolerances, Intellectual Property (IP) protection

• Act as a two way conduit of information between design teams, and tech support and service personnel

• Very adept at 7-step trouble-shooting, including driving learning and standardization where appropriate

• Full understanding of the need to protect our service IP, and apply BKMs into documentations, FRUs, Tooling, and training

• Able to step into a difficult beta and sustaining escalation, analyze data from various sources, and, working with divisional experts when necessary, provide a detailed action plan suitable for execution by Customer Service Engineer (CSE) and Technical Support Engineer (TSE)

• Leverage learning and knowledge across the Tech Support organization through training classes, scripts, coaching, documents and updating other knowledge capture tools. Develop and promote the use of Merlin and Solution Point during Beta and released product phases

• Ensure that learning on current generation tools is captured and applied to next generation designs

• Works with Learning and Knowledge Services (LKS) to determine the training requirements for new products and/or upgrades.  Trains the trainer, and teach or co-teach initial courses.  Audits service training courses to ensure their quality

• Help to define a plan, implement and optimize the spare parts that will be stocked to support field shipments.  This includes taking into account reliability, diagnostics, inventory holding cost, training level and other factors

• Prepare CoS models (bottom-up and top-down) during initial concept phase, and update them as new information is available.  Apply results to help optimize design of diagnostics

• Work with Services Marketing to define Service Offerings, including analyzing market needs, forecasting CoS and developing Sales support materials

• Help to define and optimize the Preventative Maintenance Schedule for systems

• Help to prepare a product for obsolescence / transfer to Service Supply Chain Management (SSCM) ownership including closing known issues, disposition of inventory and transfer of documentation and knowledge

• Participate in NPI Best Practice teams to spread knowledge across product divisions

• Hands-on work for integration of Alpha/Beta systems, including performing serviceability validation

• Travel to Beta sites for support of new tool installations/upgrades, and for escalation support for new products

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 - $172,800.00 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.