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 LS-SWIFT Division of KLA’s Global Products Group provides patterned wafer inspection systems for high-volume semiconductor manufacturing. Its mission is to deliver market-leading cost of ownership in defect detection for a broad range of applications in the production of semiconductors. Customers from the foundry, logic, memory, automotive, MEMS, advanced packaging and other markets rely upon high-sample wafer inspection information generated by LS-SWIFT products. LS (Laser Scanning) systems enable cost-effective patterned wafer defect detection for the industry’s most sophisticated process technologies deployed in leading-edge foundry, logic, DRAM, and NAND fabs. SWIFT (Simultaneous Wafer Inspection at Fast Throughput) systems deliver all-wafer-surface (frontside, backside, and edge) macro inspection that is critical for automotive IC, MEMS, and advanced packaging processes as well as foundry/logic and memory fabs. LS-SWIFT operates from a global footprint that includes the US, Singapore, India and Germany, and serves a worldwide customer base across Asia, Europe and North America.Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
At KLA, you will work on cutting-edge AI-powered inspection systems that enable breakthroughs in semiconductor manufacturing—the backbone of modern technology.
Join a high-performing team of PhDs, machine vision experts, and algorithm engineers, where you will design and deploy next-generation computer vision and deep learning solutions in complex, high-impact environments. The successful candidate will grow their career within the LS-SWIFT algorithms group in California, working on some of the most advanced inspection systems in the industry.
Key Responsibilities- Design, develop, and optimize advanced machine learning and deep learning algorithms for complex image and signal processing applications
- Take ownership of algorithm development from concept and prototyping to production deployment
- Invent, evaluate, and implement novel computer vision approaches for challenging, real-world datasets
- Analyze system performance, debug complex issues, and improve robustness and accuracy in production environments
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (software, systems, applications, and field engineers) to deliver high-quality solutions
- Contribute to architectural decisions and continuously improve algorithm performance, scalability, and maintainability
Strong background in one or more of the following:
- Machine Learning
- Deep Learning
- Computer Vision
- Image Processing
Hands-on experience with at least one major deep learning framework (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch)
Proven experience training, validating, and deploying ML/DL models in production environments
Solid programming skills (C++ and/or Python), with experience in object-oriented and/or functional programming
Ability to design model architectures, customize loss functions, and optimize performance for real-world constraints
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work on ambiguous, open-ended challenges
- Experience with large-scale, high-resolution image data or industrial inspection systems
- Familiarity with performance optimization, GPU acceleration, or real-time systems
- Experience working in cross-functional product environments (from R&D to customer deployment)
- Work on mission-critical systems used by leading semiconductor companies worldwide
- Solve unsolved, high-impact problems at the intersection of AI and physics
- See your work move from research to production and customer impact
- Collaborate with a highly skilled, supportive, and driven team
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 3 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years
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 at [email protected] 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 [email protected] to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.
Skills Required
- Strong background in Machine Learning
- Strong background in Deep Learning
- Strong background in Computer Vision
- Strong background in Image Processing
- Hands-on experience with deep learning framework (TensorFlow or PyTorch)
- Proven experience training, validating, and deploying ML/DL models in production environments
- Solid programming skills in C++ and/or Python
- Ability to design model architectures, customize loss functions, and optimize performance for real-world constraints
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work on ambiguous, open-ended challenges
- Minimum qualifications: Doctorate (0 years) OR Master’s +3 years OR Bachelor’s +5 years related experience
- Experience with large-scale, high-resolution image data or industrial inspection systems
- Familiarity with performance optimization, GPU acceleration, or real-time systems
- Experience working in cross-functional product environments (R&D to customer deployment)
KLA Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about KLA and has not been reviewed or approved by KLA.
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Retirement Support — U.S. programs include a formulaic 401(k) employer match with clearly described plan designs in company materials. Consistent plan structure and employer matching signal strong support for long‑term savings.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — A broad base of employees is eligible for RSUs and can participate in an ESPP, extending ownership beyond executives. Company materials position equity as a core component of total compensation.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — A quarterly profit‑sharing program and performance bonuses are outlined in filings, providing regular variable pay opportunities. These incentives complement base pay and equity to lift overall earnings in strong periods.
KLA Insights
What We Do
KLA develops industry-leading equipment and services that enable innovation throughout the electronics industry. We provide advanced process control and process-enabling solutions for manufacturing wafers and reticles. In close collaboration with leading customers across the globe, our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers design solutions that move the world forward.
