PLC Controls Engineer

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. KLA's Central Engineering organization is made up of nine Centers of Excellence (CoEs) spanning disciplines like automation, motion control, sensors, platform design, and packaging. Each CoE contributes not only technical deliverables but also deep expertise, best practices, and advanced tools that elevate both what we build—and how we build it.

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 need an Electrical Engineer who is motivated by solving complex, cross-disciplinary challenges! Join KLA’s hands-on engineering team, where innovation meets execution. We’re looking for a highly skilled engineer to help design and development next generation PLC safety and control systems for our groundbreaking tools.

What We Need You to Do

• Apply your skills in PLC Controls for design, development, optimization, and implementation of advanced PLC control systems for safety and automation on next-generation inspection platforms.

• Participate in development from requirements gathering through delivery and support for complex mechanical and electrical automation needs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and guidelines.

• Collaborate in the development and maintenance of electrical and mechanical schematics.

• Develop, optimize, and deploy PLC control systems using safety automation software.

• Conduct formal and informal code and design reviews and ensuring alignment with architectural and design principles.

• Analyze and improve software architecture for performance, reliability, and maintainability.

• Define test strategies, develop test criteria, and validate systems for efficiency, safety, and robustness.

• Perform advanced problem solving and root cause analysis, implementing long-term corrective actions.

• Collaborate across multi-functional teams with physicists, engineers, computer scientists, and external vendors to deliver high-quality automation and safety solutions.

• Provide technical support during global customer site installations, including hands-on commissioning and support.

• Work in clean-room environments as needed (10%-20%).

• Travel up to 20% with the ability to be flexible for domestic and international travel based on business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' relevant experience

• Experience in PLC programming and automation systems to design and implement complex safety systems, including replacement of End-of-Life devices.

• Strong proficiency in Siemens TIA Portal or similar safety software for automation.

• Strong understanding of IEC 61131-3 programming standards, ISO 13849-1 safety standards, and real-time control systems.

• Experience developing medium/large scale PLC systems with relevant communication protocols (Profinet, Profisafe, DeviceNet).

• Excellent analytical, diagnosing, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong communication skills and ability to work in cross-disciplinary teams.

• Highly self-motivated, with a demonstrated ability to deliver production-quality solutions for critical applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in software for advanced PLC platforms.

• Experience leading multi-developer teams and mentoring junior engineers.

• Experience with vacuum control and fluid control.

• Familiarity with SEMI standards and Cap-Ex equipment in semiconductor manufacturing.

• Familiarity with PID or more advanced control-loop tuning via PLC

• Hands-on experience with Python scripting for automation and data handling.

• Experience integrating SCADA systems (e.g., Ignition) with PLCs.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Level Degree and 0 years related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 2 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: $76,300.00 - $111,900.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-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.