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Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... Role Overview We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our RAPID ...

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... Role Overview We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our RAPID ...

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... Role Overview We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our RAPID ...

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$121K - $160K/yr

KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert ... Role Overview We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our RAPID ...

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Principal Mechanical Engineer

Burbank, CA · On-site

$225K - $275K/yr

Accept inefficiency in design processes or a lack of rigor in R&D. Sit back and let others define ... Proven leadership experience managing and mentoring senior engineering teams and driving R&D ...

Apply Early

Be Seen First

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Burbank, CA · On-site

$225K - $275K/yr

Accept inefficiency in design processes or a lack of rigor in R&D. Sit back and let others define ... Proven leadership experience managing and mentoring senior engineering teams and driving R&D ...

Apply Early

S./Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or another relevant discipline * Experience with Dassault ... F.R. 120.15. "US Person" includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Concord, CA · On-site

$132K - $177K/yr

S./Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or another relevant discipline * Experience with Dassault ... R. § 120.15. "US Person" includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Concord, CA · On-site

$132K - $177K/yr

S./Ph.D. in mechanical engineering or another relevant discipline * Experience with Dassault ... R. § 120.15. "US Person" includes US Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees.

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Woodstock, GA · On-site

$94K - $124K/yr

Senior Mechanical Engineer Company: Kirk-Rudy Inc. About Kirk Rudy Inc.: Kirk-Rudy, Inc. Is a ... Experience in Project Management and Research and Development (R amp;D) * Excellent problem-solving ...

... engineering or equivalent experience. 5-7 or more yrs. of experience ... Will consider more senior level candidates. Medical device and design control experience is ...

Optical test, electrical, programming, and mechanical aptitude skills are helpful in this role ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: * Conduct research, propose experiments, and analyze data to aide in ...

... engineering or equivalent experience. 5-7 or more yrs. of experience ... Will consider more senior level candidates. Medical device and design control experience is ...

Sr Mechanical Engineer- PE

Tucson, AZ

$89K - $118K/yr

Sr Mechanical Engineer- PE We need a registered Senior Mechanical Engineer for our Tucson, AZ ... AD&D coverage. * 401(k) Plan with Company match. * Three weeks (prorated for the first year) Paid ...

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Sr Mechanical Engineer- PE

Tucson, AZ

$89K - $118K/yr

Sr Mechanical Engineer- PE We need a registered Senior Mechanical Engineer for our Tucson, AZ ... AD&D coverage. * 401(k) Plan with Company match. * Three weeks (prorated for the first year) Paid ...

R/D Engineer II

Boston, MA · On-site

$113K - $155K/yr

The Senior Controls Engineer will work within the R&D engineering team to develop and support the ... Experience with relevant technologies including: o Mechatronics o Mechanical engineering ...

About The Role As an integral part of the R+D team you will design machines, robots, and structures ... Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or similar * Experience in industry in structural ...

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Senior R D Mechanical Engineer information

See salary details

$74.5K

$122.6K

$171K

How much do senior r&d mechanical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior r&d mechanical engineer in the United States is $122,564.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $138,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Senior R&D Mechanical Engineers when transitioning projects from prototype to large-scale production?

Senior R&D Mechanical Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring manufacturability of prototypes, scaling up designs to meet production requirements, and maintaining quality while reducing costs. Addressing issues like material sourcing, process optimization, and compliance with industry standards is critical during this phase. Collaboration with manufacturing, quality assurance, and supply chain teams is essential to identify potential bottlenecks and implement solutions that support a smooth transition to mass production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer, you need advanced knowledge in mechanical design, prototyping, and materials science, typically backed by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering and several years of experience. Proficiency with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), finite element analysis tools, and experience with product development systems are essential. Creative problem-solving, strong project management, and effective communication skills help you excel in cross-functional teams and drive innovation. These skills and qualities are critical for successfully developing new products, ensuring technical feasibility, and leading projects from concept to production.

What is the difference between Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectSenior R&D Mechanical EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; experience in R&DBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; focus on design skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, product development teams, innovation projectsDesign departments, manufacturing, product development
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, manufacturing firms, R&D centersEngineering firms, manufacturing, product companies

The main difference is that Senior R&D Mechanical Engineers focus on research, innovation, and developing new technologies, while Mechanical Design Engineers primarily work on designing and drafting mechanical components and systems. Senior R&D roles often require more experience in research methodologies, whereas Design Engineers concentrate on creating detailed designs for manufacturing.

What does a Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer do?

A Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer leads the research and development of new mechanical products or systems. They are responsible for designing, prototyping, and testing innovative solutions, often collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring ideas from concept to production. Their work involves solving complex engineering problems, ensuring product performance, and staying updated with the latest technological advancements. Additionally, they may mentor junior engineers and contribute to patent applications for novel inventions.
What cities are hiring for Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs? The most popular types of R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior R&D Mechanical Engineer jobs include:
Sr. Mechanical Engineer

$121K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


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.

Group/Division

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. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA's metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

About RAPID

The RAPID division is the leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. We deliver advanced inspection systems to both mask shops and semiconductor fabs, ensuring consistently high lithography yields and enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our RAPID engineering team, supporting the development of next-generation semiconductor capital equipment. This role requires a strong technical foundation combined with an ownership mindset-from concept through manufacturing handoff.

The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguous environments, brings clarity to requirements, and leads complex engineering efforts end-to-end.

As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will develop sophisticated precision mechanical and opto-mechanical inspection systems. You will take full ownership of the design process-from requirements definition and feasibility studies through detailed design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing release.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead end-to-end mechanical design and development, from requirements definition through manufacturing release
  • Translate ambiguous or high-level requirements into clear, actionable engineering specifications
  • Perform and guide detailed engineering analyses, including:
    • Structural analysis
    • Modal and vibration analysis
    • Thermal analysis
    • Fluid flow modeling
  • Design and optimize systems with a focus on vibration isolation and damping performance
  • Drive concept development, engineering studies, and design decisions, balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability
  • Own subsystem or product-level deliverables, ensuring technical quality, schedule adherence, and accountability
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with systems, manufacturing, suppliers, and service teams
  • Support design reviews (RDR, CDR, DDR), validation, and system integration
  • Lead manufacturing handoff, including documentation, vendor engagement, and issue resolution during builds
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in semiconductor capital equipment or similar high-complexity hardware systems
  • Familiarity with:
    • Vibration damping and isolation techniques
    • GD&T, tolerance stack-up, and precision engineering
    • Manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, welding, etc.)
  • Experience leading projects from concept through manufacturing release
What We're Looking For
  • A self-starter who can bring structure to ambiguity
  • A systems thinker who understands cross-disciplinary trade-offs
  • A technical leader who takes pride in ownership and delivery
  • Someone comfortable operating in a fast-paced, multi-project environment

      Minimum Qualifications

      Required Qualifications
      • Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) with 2+ years of experience, OR
        Master's degree with 4+ years of experience, OR
        Bachelor's degree with 5+ years of experience
      • Strong technical expertise in at least two of the following areas:
        • Structural/FEA analysis
        • Modal & vibration analysis
        • Thermal engineering
        • Fluid flow / CFD
      • Experience designing mechanical systems
      • Extensive experience with CAD assemblies and detailed drawings
      • Experience creating procedures for manufacturing, field installation, and service
      • Proven track record of taking ownership of sophisticated engineering problems and delivering solutions
      • Strong decision-making skills with demonstrated accountability and follow-through
      • Excellent communication and collaboration skills
      Base Pay Range: $0.00 - $0.00 AnnuallyPrimary 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 attalent.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.