Company Overview
KLA 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.
Job Description / Preferred Qualifications
KLA is a global leader in process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and electronics industries. Virtually every electronic device—from laptops and smartphones to electric vehicles and AI systems—relies on our technologies. For over 40 years, we’ve pioneered innovations in inspection, metrology, and analytics, helping chipmakers accelerate yield and quality in advanced manufacturing. At the intersection of electron and photon optics, sensor technology, and artificial intelligence, our expert teams of physicists, engineers, and data scientists tackle the toughest challenges in semiconductor fabrication. Life here is exciting—there’s never a dull moment as we work with the world’s leading technology providers to deliver the devices that power modern life.
Join KLA’s Surfscan Division, the leader in unpatterned wafer inspection for semiconductor manufacturing. Our team of apps engineers, technologists, and product specialists develop solutions that help advanced semiconductor fabs and equipment manufacturers qualify and monitor process tools. Surfscan equipment detects defects and process non‑uniformities early, enabling proactive yield management. As an Applications Engineer, you’ll partner with customers and cross‑functional teams to optimize SFS tools, create innovative applications, and drive enhancements for next‑generation products. This role blends deep technical expertise with customer engagement to ensure our solutions always deliver maximum value in advanced semiconductor fabs.
Key Responsibilities
Support, maintain, and troubleshoot SFS tools in customer environments
Diagnose tool issues, identify corrective actions, and ensure optimal tool performance
Work closely with service and engineering teams to resolve hardware/software issues
Develop applications and Best Known Methods (BKMs) to solve complex customer challenges and improve tool capability
Create use cases, scope new features, identify issues, and drive bug fixes
Maintain strategic customer relationships and assist sales teams with technical assessments
Develop and document training materials, and provide technical training
Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define requirements for future products
Qualifications
MS or Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Optics, Material Science, or related field
Experience in semiconductor fabrication or equivalent educational experience
Strong knowledge of semiconductor process flows and defect types
Experience in system‑level troubleshooting, diagnostics, and reporting
Cleanroom experience and semiconductor device characterization
Familiarity with computer operating systems, networking, and analysis tools
Preferred Skills
Strong customer focus and ability to build collaborative relationships
Experience with lasers and optics
Motivation to innovate and proactively deliver exceptional customer outcomes
Proven technical leadership and problem‑solving skills
Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management skills
Ability to present technical content to diverse audiences
Data analysis tools (Excel, JMP, Minitab, Igor, Origin, ImageJ, etc.)
Programming (Matlab, LabVIEW, Python, etc.)
Minimum Qualifications
Master's Level Degree and 0 years related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 2 years
We offer a competitive, family friendly total rewards package. We design our programs to reflect our commitment to an inclusive environment, while ensuring we provide benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees.
KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr