Sr. Technical Program Manager (Software-Hardware Systems)

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 e-Beam division plays a critical role in KLA’s inspection ecosystem, with tools that deliver high-resolution, timely insights into defects and critical locations on the wafer. Used alongside KLA’s patterned and bare wafer inspectors, e-Beam systems help our customers quickly identify and understand yield-impacting issues—enabling faster, more effective actions to correct the manufacturing process.

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.

Sr. Technical Program Manager (Software-Hardware Systems)

Help shape the future of semiconductor inspection on precision hardware systems, one electron at a time. We’re looking for a technically fluent, execution-focused Technical Program Manager to lead the development and delivery of complex software programs that power our next-generation EBeam inspection tools. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives at the intersection of software, hardware, and physics.

What You’ll Do

• Lead medium-to-large scale software programs that span multiple quarters and cross-functional teams.
• Own the full lifecycle of software delivery—from planning and prioritization to execution and release.
• Collaborate closely with hardware, systems, and electron optics engineers to ensure seamless low-level software/hardware integration.
• Translate evolving customer needs into actionable software deliverables, adapting plans with agility and precision.
• Drive system-level thinking and propose solutions that span embedded software, hardware, and physics.
• Foster strong cross-functional collaboration across engineering, applications, and marketing teams.

What You Bring

• A degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in software or embedded systems development, with 3+ years in technical project or program management.
• Proven success managing complex, multi-quarter software projects in companies that build physical products (e.g., semiconductor tools, medical devices, robotics).
• Strong planning and execution skills—able to prioritize, sequence, and deliver in dynamic, customer-driven environments.
• Attention to detail and a systems mindset; you think beyond software to solve full-stack engineering challenges.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills; comfortable working with physicists, hardware engineers, and customer-facing teams.
• Experience with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid development methodologies.
• Bonus: You’ve grown from a software developer into a project or program manager and bring that technical empathy to your leadership style.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Work on one-of-a-kind systems where software directly controls ultra-precision hardware
• Solve problems at the intersection of software, physics, and advanced engineering
• Lead programs that truly matter—enabling the future of semiconductor manufacturing
• Join a team that values deep technical thinking, ownership, and cross-domain collaboration

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: $159,500.00 - $233,967.00 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.