Senior. Manager of Semiconductor Applications Development Engineering

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. The Film and Scatterometry Technology (FaST) division delivers industry-leading metrology solutions essential to advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Its portfolio includes systems for measuring film thickness, critical dimensions, composition, and resistivity—key to developing and scaling next-gen IC processes. FaST partners closely with customers from early R&D through high-volume production, ensuring performance and process alignment.
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.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced and technically proficient Senior Manager of Semiconductor Applications Development Engineering to lead a team responsible for developing and validating advanced applications for KLA’s innovative semiconductor metrology and inspection equipment. This role involves driving the strategic direction of applications development, ensuring customer success, and fostering a culture of technical excellence.
Job Responsibilities
* Lead and manage a team of applications development engineers, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and performance management.
* Define and execute applications development roadmaps aligned with KLA’s product strategy and customer requirements.
* Collaborate closely with product management, R&D, and sales teams to translate customer needs into effective applications solutions.
* Oversee the development, testing, and validation of new applications, algorithms, and methodologies for semiconductor metrology and inspection tools.
* Drive customer engagements, including technical presentations, demonstrations, and support for critical customer issues.
* Ensure the timely and successful delivery of applications solutions to customers, meeting performance and quality expectations.
* Develop and maintain strong technical expertise in semiconductor manufacturing processes, defect mechanisms, and metrology challenges.
* Identify and implement best practices for applications development, including process improvements and tool enhancements.
* Represent KLA as a technical expert at industry conferences and customer meetings.
* Manage project schedules, resources, and budgets effectively.
Job Qualifications
* Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
* 10+ years of experience in the semiconductor industry, with a strong focus on applications development, process integration, or metrology/inspection.
* 5+ years of experience in a leadership or management role, leading technical teams.
* Deep understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes (e.g., lithography, etch, deposition, CMP) and their associated defectivity and metrology challenges.
* Proven experience with semiconductor metrology or inspection equipment (e.g., optical inspection, e-beam inspection, CD-SEM, film thickness, overlay).
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose complex technical issues and propose effective solutions.
* Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with customers and cross-functional teams.
* Demonstrated ability to drive projects to completion, manage multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
* Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., JMP, Python, MATLAB) is highly desirable.
* Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Candidate must have MS, or PHD in Engineering, Physics, Material Science or related fields with at least 8 years experience in semiconductor metrology related job. Computational modeling knowledge and IC processing/Semiconductor equipment understanding are a plus. Must have excellent communication, organizational, analytical, leadership, and interpersonal skill.
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: $179,600.00 - $269,400.00 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.
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.