Semiconductor R D Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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.
Group/Division
Enabling the movement toward advanced chip design, KLA's Measurement, Analytics and Control group (MACH) is looking for the best and brightest research scientists, software engineers, application development engineers and senior product technology process engineers to join our team. The MACH team's mission is to collaborate with our customers to innovate technologies and solutions that detect and control highly complex process variations-at their source-rather than compensate for them at later stages of the manufacturing process. With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Our MACH team develops leading-edge solutions for patterning process analytics and control technologies, thereby providing customers with critical insight at the feature level, field level and cross-wafer analysis. Our teams also develop advanced modeling simulation, data analytics and process control modeling technologies. As a member of the MACH team, you'll be joining the most sophisticated and successful process-control company in the semiconductor industry--working across functions to solve the most complex technical problems in the digital age.
Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
The software data analytics division in KLA is looking for a passionate and motivated Senior AI Engineer with experience developing, evaluating, deploying, and monitoring Agentic AI applications that go beyond traditional machine and deep learning.
In this role, you will be responsible for working with the division's AI Working Group integrating Agentic AI across various products to solve complex challenges in semiconductor manufacturing. You will be involved in technical/architectural design, identifying suitable technology stacks, and hands-on development and will be working with a talented cross-functional team integrating these intelligent agents into applications and workflows that enhance efficiency, quality, and innovation.
Responsibilities:

• Architect and implement agentic AI solutions for semiconductor applications.
• Develop multi-agent systems that collaborate across semiconductor domains.
• Integrate reasoning, planning, and reinforcement learning into AI workflows
• Collaborate with hardware, software, and data teams to ensure seamless deployment, usability and user-experience.
• Continuously evaluate emerging technologies in agent-based AI and apply them to real-world semiconductor challenges.

Skills & Experience:

• 5+ years in AI/ML development, with strong exposure to agent-based systems or reinforcement learning, having designed, evaluated, deployed, and monitored such applications.
• Experience with LLM pre-training is optional, but a significant advantage.
• At least 5 years of total post-graduation working experience in software engineering, preferably including Machine Learning and Deep Learning.
• Proficiency in key programming languages and APIs such as Python, JavaScript, Angular/Vue, C/C++, PyTorch.
• Experience developing web-based front-ends.
• Understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes and data pipelines is a plus.
• Understanding of cloud platforms and MLOps for scalable AI deployment.
• Strong communication skills and ability to easily work in a dynamic cross-functional environment.
• Strong ability to be flexible with evolving requirements and onboard latest technologies and models.

Academic Background:

• Master's degree or PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Minor in Mathematics is optional, but preferred.

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.
Base Pay Range: $159,500.00 - $271,200.00 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.
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.