System Design Engineer 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

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 Surfscan group includes a team of engineers, technology development, apps engineers and product marketing focused on technology that enables wafer, IC and equipment manufacturers to develop, qualify and monitor their process tools. Defects and process non-uniformities detected on Surfscan equipment allow for early identification of yield excursions. The flagship Surfscan products include the SPx platforms for wafer surface quality and wafer defect inspection tools and systems for inspection of polished wafers, epi wafers and engineered substrates during the wafer fabrication process.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

We are seeking a highly motivated System Engineer to lead the development and integration of complex inspection, metrology, or advanced instrumentation systems. The successful candidate will work across optical, electronic, electrical, software, algorithm, and product engineering disciplines to define system requirements, manage performance budgets, resolve technical issues, and drive product development from concept through release.

The ideal candidate possesses strong expertise in optical and electronic systems, including imaging, illumination, sensing, signal acquisition, control electronics, and system-level integration, and can effectively translate product requirements into robust technical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and manage system-level requirements, architecture, interfaces, and performance specifications.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive system error budgets, including optical, electronic, electrical, thermal, environmental, and algorithmic contributors.
• Lead root-cause analysis and resolution of system performance issues involving optical, sensor, electronic, or signal-processing subsystems.
• Collaborate with optical, electrical, electronics, software, algorithm, and product engineering teams to optimize overall system performance.
• Define subsystem performance requirements for illumination, imaging, sensing, control electronics, data acquisition, and signal-processing hardware.
• Conduct trade studies and evaluate design alternatives balancing performance, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and serviceability.
• Support system integration, verification, validation, and product release activities.
• Develop system-level test strategies and performance characterization methodologies.
• Communicate technical findings, risks, and recommendations to engineering leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Up to 10% travel required

Required Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in complex system development, preferably in semiconductor equipment, optical instrumentation, electronics systems, aerospace, medical devices, telecommunications, or advanced manufacturing industries.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Optical systems, imaging, and photonics fundamentals
  • Electronic systems and signal acquisition fundamentals
  • System performance analysis and error budgeting
  • Sensor, detector, camera, and data acquisition technologies
  • Electronic system integration and hardware-software interactions
• Experience translating customer and product requirements into system specifications and subsystem requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optical inspection, wafer metrology, machine vision, scientific cameras, photodetectors, laser-based instrumentation, high-speed signal processing, and semiconductor process control systems.
• Experience with precision optics, illumination systems, imaging systems, lasers, detectors, cameras, photodiodes, or metrology equipment.
• Knowledge of analog and digital electronics, signal integrity, noise analysis, timing systems, power distribution, and embedded control architectures.
• Experience working with FPGA-based systems, high-speed interfaces, data acquisition systems, or real-time control systems.
• Familiarity with requirements management and systems engineering methodologies.
• Experience using modeling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Python, Zemax, Code V, SPICE, LabVIEW, and/or similar engineering tools.
• Understanding of EMI/EMC principles, reliability engineering, and environmental testing.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical teams.

AI and Digital Engineering Skills (Preferred)

• Demonstrated experience using AI-assisted engineering and productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, Devin/Windsurf, or similar platforms).
• Ability to leverage AI tools for engineering analysis, design reviews, requirements generation, risk assessment, documentation, troubleshooting, and technical knowledge management.
• Interest in applying AI technologies to accelerate system development, improve design quality, and enhance engineering productivity.

Desired Attributes

• Systems thinker capable of balancing subsystem performance against overall product objectives.
• Strong technical leadership and influence without authority.
• Proactive with a strong sense of project ownership, urgency, and accountability in delivering high-quality engineering solutions.
• Curious, innovative, and eager to leverage emerging technologies, including AI, to improve engineering effectiveness.
• Effective collaborator in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary development environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in complex system development, preferably in semiconductor equipment, optical instrumentation, electronics systems, aerospace, medical devices, telecommunications, or advanced manufacturing industries.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Optical systems, imaging, and photonics fundamentals
  • Electronic systems and signal acquisition fundamentals
  • System performance analysis and error budgeting
  • Sensor, detector, camera, and data acquisition technologies
  • Electronic system integration and hardware-software interactions
• Experience translating customer and product requirements into system specifications and subsystem requirements.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Base Pay Range: $136,300.00 - $231,700.00 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.