Mechanical Design Manager (opto-mechanical)

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.

Lead and manage a team of opto-mechanical design engineers responsible for developing innovative precision mechanisms, optics modules, and subsystems for current and next-generation reticle inspection tools. Oversee the design process, ensuring technical excellence, adherence to product development phases, and alignment with organizational goals. Foster collaboration with world-class suppliers and internal engineering groups (Optics, Systems, Manufacturing, and Service) to achieve flawless integration and testing at both subsystem and system levels. Drive continuous improvement, mentor team members, and champion best practices in design and project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the opto-mechanical design team.

• Set technical goals, prioritize projects, and allocate resources effectively.

• Guide the team in solving complex design challenges, including optomechanical and precision mechanism design, ultra-high and ultra-clean vacuum functionality, and precision stage/actuation systems.

• Ensure designs meet high standards for stiffness, sub-micron motion, thermal control, and use of advanced materials.

• Build strong relationships with suppliers and cross-functional teams to meet challenging requirements.

• Oversee documentation, compliance with product development phases, and risk management.

• Support new product introduction and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Skills

• Proven leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

• Experience managing and developing engineering teams.

• Strong background in opto-mechanical and precision mechanism design.

• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and drive team performance.

• Familiarity with manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, welding, castings).

• Initiative, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence.

Preferred Skills

• Proficiency in Creo (ProEngineer) and experience with FEA, GD&T, and CFD modeling tools (Pro/Mechanica, ANSYS, CF Design).

• Experience with supplier management, motion control, electronics, data acquisition (LabView), instrumentation, tooling, and test fixture design.

• Track record of successful new product introductions and cross-functional project leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree or higher in related field or equivalent combination of any relevant education and experience

6+ years of relevant experience with proven ability to lead including 2 + years of management experience

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: $153,300.00 - $224,833.00 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.