FPGA Firmware Design Manager

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.

Preferred Qualifications

We are seeking an experienced FPGA Firmware Design Manager to lead a team of FPGA and firmware engineers responsible for developing high-performance digital solutions for advanced semiconductor inspection and metrology systems. This role combines technical leadership, people management, and multi-functional collaboration to drive FPGA firmware architecture, implementation, verification, release, and support throughout the product lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in FPGA development, digital system architecture, and engineering leadership, with demonstrated experience of delivering complex products in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

• Lead the architecture, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance of FPGA firmware for advanced inspection and metrology systems.

• Drive FPGA design reviews and establish standards for coding, simulation, verification, documentation, and release processes.

• Provide technical guidance on: High-speed digital interfaces; Data acquisition systems; Image processing pipelines; Motion control systems; Real-time embedded systems; FPGA-based signal processing

• Ensure designs are scalable, maintainable, and reusable across multiple product platforms.

• Participate in system architecture definition and technology roadmap planning.

Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of FPGA firmware engineers.

• Set project priorities and allocate resources across multiple programs.

• Manage employee performance, provide coaching, and support career development.

• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, innovation, and collaboration.

• Recruit, interview, and onboard high-performing engineering talent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of FPGA firmware development experience.

• Strong expertise with FPGA development tools and methodologies.

Minimum Qualifications

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

• 8+ years of relevant experience with proven ability to lead including 4+ 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.