Mechanical Design Engineer – Process Media and Vacuum Systems (Pipe & Instrumentation Diagram)

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.

The Mechanical Design Engineer will own the system architecture for process media and vacuum systems in advanced semiconductor equipment, including gas, water, LN2, and vacuum distribution. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining key system documentation such as P&IDs, device lists, interface definitions, and related architecture documents, while working across mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, service, and reliability teams.

This engineer will also perform CAD work for the overall routing architecture, directly support detailed mechanical design, and guide contractors in routing piping/tubing and related hardware. Familiarity with MBSE is a plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the architecture for gas, water, LN2, and vacuum distribution systems.
• Develop and maintain P&IDs, device lists, interface definitions, and requirements allocations.
• Perform fluid flow and thermal simulations
• Create CAD models and layouts for overall routing architecture and hardware integration.
• Perform hands-on mechanical design and guide support teams to perform CAD routing for cables, piping and associated hardware.
• Lead architecture tradeoffs and guide selection of major components such as valves, pumps, regulators, filters, gauges, manifolds, and sensors.
• Define system requirements and allocate them to impacted subsystems and technical owners across mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, service, reliability, and regulatory functions.
• Help define interfaces, interlocks, and sequencing concepts needed for safe and effective system operation (SEMI-S2, ASME, PED,  …).
• Work across functions to support system integration, design reviews, troubleshooting, and productization including full documentation for high volume production.
• Support prototype build, system bring-up, testing, and debugging of routing, distribution, and integration issues.
• Interface with vendors and internal stakeholders to communicate requirements clearly and help ensure technical solutions meet performance, quality, and documentation expectations.
• Prepare and support technical content required for requirements, concept, and detailed design reviews.

Desired Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Strong experience with complex gas, water, cryogenic, and/or vacuum distribution systems.
• Experience with P&IDs, device lists, interface documentation, and system-level routing layouts.
• Perform fluid flow and thermal simulations
• Strong mechanical design and CAD skills, including routing and integration work.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary engineering teams and supporting prototype build, integration, and troubleshooting.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 6 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 8 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: $141,300.00 - $207,233.00 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.