2

Entry Level R&D Engineering Jobs in San Jose, CA

Product Engineer (E)

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$95K - $161K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Engr, Assoc Test 1

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$25.58 - $43.47/hr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Engr, Assoc Test 2

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$28.85 - $49.04/hr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Engr, Assoc Test 2

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$28.85 - $49.04/hr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Engr, Assoc Test 2

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$28.85 - $49.04/hr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Engr, Assoc Test 1

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$25.58 - $43.47/hr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Engr, Assoc Test 1

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$25.58 - $43.47/hr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Test Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

... fast-moving R&D. You will partner closely with hardware, software, research, data science, and ... Help establish engineering patterns, documentation practices, and code quality standards as the ...

Test Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

... fast-moving R&D. You will partner closely with hardware, software, research, data science, and ... Help establish engineering patterns, documentation practices, and code quality standards as the ...

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Product Release Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$95K - $161K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Software Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$114K - $195K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Product Release Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$95K - $161K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world ...

Showing results 21-40

Entry Level R D Engineering information

See San Jose, CA salary details

$35.2K

$81.3K

$138.3K

How much do entry level r&d engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level r&d engineering in San Jose, CA is $81,292.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,400.00 and $92,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level R&D Engineering vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectEntry Level R&D EngineeringMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering or related fieldBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or similar
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, product development teamsDesign offices, manufacturing settings
Industry UsageResearch and development departments across industriesProduct design and manufacturing companies
Common Search IntentEntry level R&D roles, research-focused positionsDesign-focused engineering roles

Entry Level R&D Engineering and Mechanical Design Engineer roles often require similar educational backgrounds, but differ in focus. Entry Level R&D Engineers typically work on developing new products or technologies in research labs, while Mechanical Design Engineers focus on creating detailed product designs for manufacturing. Both roles are common in engineering industries, but their daily tasks and environments vary.

What is an entry level R&D engineer?

An Entry Level R&D (Research and Development) Engineer is a recent graduate or early-career professional who works on designing, developing, and testing new products, technologies, or processes. They collaborate with senior engineers and scientists to conduct experiments, analyze data, and contribute to innovative solutions. Their responsibilities typically include assisting with prototype development, documentation, and running tests to ensure product quality and functionality. This role helps bridge theoretical engineering knowledge with practical application in a real-world setting.

What do entry level R&D engineers do?

As an entry-level R&D engineer, you'll typically work on a variety of tasks that support the development and improvement of new products or technologies. Your responsibilities may include conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, building prototypes, and assisting senior engineers with troubleshooting and documentation. You’ll often collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as design, manufacturing, and quality assurance to ensure project goals are met. Entry-level roles provide valuable exposure to the full product development cycle and offer plenty of opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level R&D engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level R&D Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, problem-solving, and data analysis, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, lab equipment, data acquisition systems, and sometimes certifications in project management or Six Sigma are valuable. Strong communication, creativity, and teamwork skills help you collaborate effectively and contribute innovative solutions. These abilities are crucial for driving product development, ensuring technical accuracy, and supporting continuous improvement in research environments.
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level R&D Engineering jobs in San Jose, CA? For Entry Level R&D Engineering jobs in San Jose, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level R&D Engineering jobs in San Jose, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level R&D Engineering jobs in San Jose, CA are:
What cities near San Jose, CA are hiring for Entry Level R&D Engineering jobs? Cities near San Jose, CA with the most Entry Level R&D Engineering job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level R&D Engineering job openings in San Jose, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,292 per year, or $39.1 per hour.

Product Engineer (E)

KLA Corporation

Milpitas, CA • On-site

$95K - $161K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Company Overview

KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world's leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow's electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Product Engineers are core to KLA's technology, while we do not currently have an opening, we are always building our Product Engineering talent community, we are interested in learning about your background.

Apply to this posting for Future Opportunities with KLA.


Job Description:
Responsible for maintaining and driving reliability improvements of eBeam demo lab Scanning Electron Microscope systems by diagnosing, troubleshooting, and debugging sophisticated optical/electro/mechanical equipment, computer systems, coupled with software solutions. These systems comprise of several complex sub-systems and hardware such as Wafer handler, Electron beam columns, Electron detectors, Optical Microscope, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) unit, Vacuum robots, Vacuum pumps, Vacuum Chambers, Residual Gas Analysis equipment, High precision XYZ Stage.

  • Drive eBeam Demo lab systems maintenance and reliability improvements, support systems, and applications characterization of current and next generation state-of-the art semiconductor wafer inspection, review & metrology products. Design test plans, collect data, perform analysis, publish results and recommendations. Act as a two-way conduit of information between Design/Engineering teams and Applications teams.
  • Develop strong knowledge of overall system operation, system integration, and system calibrations. Drive solutions for equipment/tool issues.
  • Engage with other relevant engineering functional teams. Host meetings with technical experts to discuss the technical issues in detail, acquire Plan-of-Actions (POAs) with consensus until issues are resolved.
  • Drive reliability improvement of system hardware, diagnostics, and software. Implement tool methodologies, monitoring systems parameters to trigger corrective actions.
  • Generate documentation relevant for troubleshooting processes, technical findings, providing service and postmortem reports.
  • Help to define and optimize the Preventative Maintenance Schedule for systems of eBeam Demo lab. Be involved in hands-on work for integration of Alpha/Beta systems.


Qualifications:

  • Master's or Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Physics, Electrical, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
  • Experience with handling any of the following equipment: Electron Microscopy (Scanning/Transmission), X-Ray based material characterization (XRD/EDX), Optical Microscopy, scatterometry, Molecular beam epitaxy, or spectrometry equipment
  • Hands-on experience with operating equipment which uses Vacuum technology


Preferred Qualification:

  • Knowledge of Power Engineering and Control systems

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Level Degree and 0 years related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 2 years

Base Pay Range: $95,000.00 - $161,500.00Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLAKLA'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.

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.

Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA's Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.