Sr. Systems Design Engineer - eBeam

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 Broadband Plasma (BBP) division is the market-leading optical inspection system used by logic, foundry, and memory customers to detect critical defects at advanced nodes. These tools combine broadband plasma technology with unmatched sensitivity and speed to support high-volume manufacturing.

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 highly experienced Senior eBeam Systems Design Engineer to lead the design, modeling, optimization, and performance improvement of advanced electron beam systems used in next-generation semiconductor inspection and metrology platforms. This role requires a unique combination of deep theoretical expertise in electron optics, strong systems engineering capability, and hands-on experience working directly with complex eBeam columns and subsystems. The successful candidate will serve as both a designer and practical problem solver, leveraging simulation tools and real-world system observations to improve performance, reliability, and imaging capability.

As a technical leader, you will independently drive high-impact projects, collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, and communicate complex technical concepts to engineers, scientists, and leadership stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, analysis, and optimization of electron beam columns and electron-optical subsystems.
• Develop and refine electron optics architectures for advanced semiconductor inspection and metrology systems.
• Perform detailed electron-optics simulations to evaluate system performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Model and analyze magnetic lens systems, magnetic fields, and charged particle trajectories.
• Utilize simulation tools such as MEBS (Munro Electron Beam Software), OPERA, and Monte Carlo modeling environments to predict and optimize system behavior.
• Perform magnetic field modeling and magnetic lens design to improve beam quality, resolution, throughput, and overall system performance.
• Drive system-level investigations by directly working with hardware to observe, evaluate, and diagnose electron column performance.
• Analyze experimental data and correlate simulation results with real-world system behavior.
• Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, controls, and physics teams to develop integrated system solutions.
• Independently lead complex technical projects from concept through implementation and validation.
• Identify performance limitations and develop innovative solutions to improve system capability and manufacturability.
• Communicate technical concepts, simulation results, and design recommendations to cross-functional teams and leadership.
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical mentorship to engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• 6+ years of experience developing, designing, or optimizing electron beam systems, charged particle systems, or electron optical instrumentation.
• Deep expertise in electron optics and electron-optical system design.
• Strong experience with MEBS (Munro Electron Beam Software) or equivalent electron-optics simulation tools.
• Experience with electron beam column architecture and system-level design.
• Expertise in magnetic lens design, magnetic field modeling, and charged particle trajectory analysis.
• Experience performing Monte Carlo simulations and applying simulation results to improve electron beam system performance.
• Strong systems engineering mindset with the ability to connect subsystem behavior to overall system performance.
• Hands-on experience operating, troubleshooting, and evaluating complex electron beam systems.
• Ability to independently lead technical projects with minimal direction.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present technical content to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, or Electrical Engineering.
• Experience with semiconductor inspection, metrology, microscopy, or charged particle instrumentation.
• Experience using OPERA for electromagnetic modeling and magnetic field simulation.
• Experience correlating simulation models with experimental system data.
• Knowledge of electron source technologies, beam formation, focusing systems, and detector interactions.
• Experience developing next-generation electron beam architectures and performance enhancement strategies.

What You'll Bring

• A passion for solving challenging electron-optics problems.
• The ability to combine theoretical modeling with hands-on system evaluation.
• Strong ownership and accountability for technical outcomes.
• A collaborative mindset coupled with the ability to operate independently in highly complex technical environments.
• The capability to serve as a subject matter expert and technical leader for advanced eBeam technology development.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 5 years; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 8 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 12 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: $186,200.00 - $273,067.00 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.