Mechanical Design Engineer (vacuum system)

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.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design, integration, and validation of complex, multi‑chamber subsystems, ensuring structural stability, precision performance, and robust contamination control.
• Design and develop ultra‑clean vacuum system hardware, including chamber structures, interfaces, materials/finishes, seals, and internal components, applying UCV principles such as low‑outgassing materials, precision cleaning requirements, and contamination‑minimizing geometries.
• Develop mechanical concepts and detailed designs for chambers, frames, interfaces, mounts, enclosures, and precision mechanisms; create drawings, specifications, and requirements for cross‑functional teams.
• Drive structural, thermal, fluid, and vibrational analyses to optimize component performance and system stability.
• Collaborate closely with optics, metrology, electrical, controls/PLC, software, manufacturing, and service teams to ensure subsystem compatibility and seamless system‑level integration.
• Support vacuum‑related elements across chambers (e.g., main chamber, stage chamber, transfer chamber, etc.) by defining interfaces, mechanical constraints, and performance requirements that integrate with overall system design.
• Contribute to the development and documentation of vacuum operation schemes (pump‑down, roughing, purge, vent, bake/clean cycles), and partner with Controls/SE on interlocks and sequencing.
• Establish and maintain contamination‑control strategies—including materials selection, cleanliness/handling guidelines, and UCV‑grade component practices—working with Materials Engineering and Supply Chain to evaluate suppliers.
• Perform first‑order and detailed analyses for pumping configurations, conductance effects, and subsystem‑level performance impacts; collaborate with vacuum specialists as needed for deeper modeling.
• Lead mechanical and system‑level design reviews (CDR, DDR), ensuring design requirements flow correctly to partner teams (mechanical, electrical, opto‑mechanical, metrology, EFEM/loader, source).
• Own integration of chambers and platform structures for vibration isolation, optical stability, and stage dynamic performance.
• Plan, execute, and oversee test activities—prototype chambers, subsystem test stands, and pre‑factory builds—including instrumentation, test methods, data analysis, and acceptance metrics.
• Manage risk through FMEA, issue tracking, corrective actions, and design‑for‑reliability improvements across NPI and into HVM.
• Mentor engineers, establish best practices (DfX, contamination handling, documentation standards), and maintain engineering artifacts and decision rationale for long‑term R&D continuity.

Qualifications

• Education: MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Applied Physics, Materials Science, EE, etc.).
• Experience: 8–12+ years in mechanical design and integration of complex systems (semiconductor equipment, precision instrumentation, multi‑chamber tools, or equivalent). Experience collaborating on vacuum operation schemes and PLC‑controlled interlocks is a plus but not required as a primary role.
• Technical depth: Strong foundation in mechanical engineering—precision design, structural/thermal/vibration analysis, contamination control, materials/finishes, and system‑level integration. Familiarity with vacuum principles (pumping, conductance, gauging, cleanliness) desired.
• Tools: Proficiency in 3D CAD/PLM workflows; experience with analysis tools (ANSYS/COMSOL or similar); scripting (Python/Matlab) for data processing and modeling; collaboration with PLC/HMI teams.
• Soft skills: Demonstrated cross‑functional leadership, clear technical communication, supplier interaction, issue‑resolution ownership, and mentoring experience.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) or work experience of 2 years, Master's Level Degree or work experience of 4 years, Bachelor's Level Degree or 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 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.