Manufacturing systems 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

KLA has manufacturing sites worldwide. The Global Operations (GOPS) team, comprised of Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Installation and Quality, builds our leading-edge technology. GOPS partners with KLA's global supply base and design engineering teams to develop new products, working continuously to build better, faster and more cost-efficient solutions.

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.

We are seeking a Manufacturing Design Engineer II to support the manufacturing, integration, and continuous improvement of complex semiconductor capital equipment. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys being close to the hardware, solving technical problems on the manufacturing floor, working across engineering disciplines, and using data to improve how sophisticated systems are built and tested. You will partner with Systems, Mechanical, Optics, Software, and Manufacturing teams to support new product introduction (NPI), continuous improvement projects (CIP), manufacturing readiness, and production issue resolution.

Responsibilities:

• Support manufacturing and NPI activities for complex capital equipment, helping transition new designs into repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Partner with Systems, Mechanical, Optics, Software, and Manufacturing Engineers to troubleshoot and resolve build, integration, and test issues.
• Develop and maintain best known methods (BKMs), manufacturing procedures, and work instructions for parts, subassemblies, and final system assembly.
• Apply Design for Manufacturability (DfM) principles and provide feedback to engineering teams to improve product quality, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Work closely with technicians to troubleshoot sophisticated technical issues and develop clear plans of action for resolution.
• Perform failure analysis, root cause investigation, and corrective action for manufacturing and product issues.
• Analyze manufacturing and test data using MES or similar manufacturing systems, statistical methods, and process control techniques to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Use tools such as Python or similar scripting/data-analysis tools to automate data extraction, analysis, reporting, or manufacturing workflows.
• Support manufacturing cost estimates, time standards, tooling requirements, and process improvements for new and existing products.
• Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) and manufacturing documentation.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and schematics and perform basic updates to models or drawings using CAD tools.
• Participate in cross-functional problem-solving efforts involving optical and opto-mechanical systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve incoming material quality, manufacturing efficiency, and overall product quality.
• Support global engineering and manufacturing teams across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
• Travel domestically and internationally up to 15%.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Applied Physics, Applied Optics, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.

Hands-on engineering experience supporting the manufacturing, integration, assembly, test, or troubleshooting of complex equipment or electromechanical systems.

Experience interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, BOMs, and technical documentation.

Familiarity with root cause analysis, failure analysis, corrective action, and structured problem-solving techniques.

Experience working with manufacturing data, statistical analysis, or process control methods.

Exposure to Python, scripting, data analytics, or automation tools used to improve engineering or manufacturing workflows.

Strong interest in working directly with hardware and solving problems in a manufacturing environment.

Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with semiconductor capital equipment, scientific instrumentation, precision equipment, or other highly complex systems.

Exposure to optics, optical assemblies, or opto-mechanical systems.

Familiarity with equipment operating in a Linux-based environment.

Experience with MES, manufacturing databases, SPC, or similar manufacturing systems.

Understanding of DfM, NPI, configuration management, or manufacturing process development.

Why This Role Is Exciting

This is a highly hands-on engineering opportunity where you can see the direct impact of your work on sophisticated equipment. You’ll work across hardware, optics, software, systems, and manufacturing, gaining broad exposure while solving real production challenges.

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: $106,700.00 - $181,400.00 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 talent.acquisition@kla.com 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.