Sr Mechanical 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 RAPID division leads the industry in reticle inspection solutions, helping ensure high lithography yields and cost-effective semiconductor manufacturing. Its systems support both mask shops and fabs by detecting defects early in the process, enabling faster, more reliable production.

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.

This mid-career mechanical design engineer will focus on sustaining programs for RAPID. Obsolescence is the key driver for the success of the RAPID legacy systems which are still in HVM. The candidate will play a pivotal supporting role for sustaining the design, fabrication and performance characterization of opto-mechanical modules, precision mechanical mechanisms, mechanical packaging, racks and chassis, and mechatronic systems. They will build technical relationships with vendors. They will have the opportunity to learn and eventually own the design process, including requirements specification, feasibility studies, analysis including FEA modeling, thermal, CFD, conceptual and detailed design, detail drawings, design review presentations, procurement of prototype parts, support prototype testing and system integration, and handoff to manufacturing! They will also own the process of taking projects from design concept through manufacturing build and will detail and address all issues thru the product phases!

• Create innovative designs involving a combination of the following: precision mechanisms, Ultra High Vacuum systems, opto-mechanical design, vibration isolation, and electronic packaging

• Develop a deep understanding of tolerance analysis, GD&T, error budgeting, flow up and flow down of requirements.

• Develop skills in finite element analysis, creep and stress relaxation, modal analysis.

• Perform meaningful thermal analysis: heat transfer, temperature gradients, thermal transients, thermo-elastic analysis

• Build vendor relationships: component fabrication, manufacturing process transfer, qualification.

• Select materials and resolving fabrication methods.

• Excellent interpersonal skills to be able to work with engineering, manufacturing and new product introduction team members in a concurrent environment.

• Demonstrate good understanding of physics and mechanics.

• Mechanical design, testing and troubleshooting.

• Excellent communication and team working skills are required.

• Familiarity with mechanical manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, etc.

• Must be proficient in 3D solid modeling CAD. ProE/Creo preferred

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.