PLC Controls Engineer

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. Central Engineering is KLA's largest engineering organization comprised of 9 Centers-of-Excellence (CoE) in various disciplines applied across all product groups in the company. These CoE include Handling & Automation, Precision Motion Control, Sensors & Image Acquisition, Platform Design, and Packaging Engineering, among others. Talent includes over 500 engineers across global centers in Israel, China, India, and the US. Each CoE contributes not just talent and deliverables per discipline toward product programs, but also subject matter expertise, best practices, roadmaps, specialized facilities, apparatus, models, and analytics. These differentiate KLA not only in WHAT we do, but also in HOW we do it.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

We need an Electrical Engineer who is motivated by solving complex, cross-disciplinary challenges! Join KLA’s hands-on engineering team, where innovation meets execution. We’re looking for a highly skilled engineer to help design and development next generation PLC safety and control systems for our groundbreaking tools.

What We Need You to Do

• Apply your skills in PLC Controls for design, development, optimization, and implementation of advanced PLC control systems for safety and automation on next-generation inspection platforms.

• Participate in development from requirements gathering through delivery and support for complex mechanical and electrical automation needs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and guidelines.

• Collaborate in the development and maintenance of electrical and mechanical schematics.

• Develop, optimize, and deploy PLC control systems using safety automation software.

• Conduct formal and informal code and design reviews and ensuring alignment with architectural and design principles.

• Analyze and improve software architecture for performance, reliability, and maintainability.

• Define test strategies, develop test criteria, and validate systems for efficiency, safety, and robustness.

• Perform advanced problem solving and root cause analysis, implementing long-term corrective actions.

• Collaborate across multi-functional teams with physicists, engineers, computer scientists, and external vendors to deliver high-quality automation and safety solutions.

• Provide technical support during global customer site installations, including hands-on commissioning and support.

• Work in clean-room environments as needed (10%-20%).

• Travel up to 20% with the ability to be flexible for domestic and international travel based on business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' relevant experience

• Experience in PLC programming and automation systems to design and implement complex safety systems, including replacement of End-of-Life devices.

• Strong proficiency in Siemens TIA Portal or similar safety software for automation.

• Strong understanding of IEC 61131-3 programming standards, ISO 13849-1 safety standards, and real-time control systems.

• Experience developing medium/large scale PLC systems with relevant communication protocols (Profinet, Profisafe, DeviceNet).

• Excellent analytical, diagnosing, and problem-solving skills.

• Strong communication skills and ability to work in cross-disciplinary teams.

• Highly self-motivated, with a demonstrated ability to deliver production-quality solutions for critical applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in software for advanced PLC platforms.

• Experience leading multi-developer teams and mentoring junior engineers.

• Experience with vacuum control and fluid control.

• Familiarity with SEMI standards and Cap-Ex equipment in semiconductor manufacturing.

• Familiarity with PID or more advanced control-loop tuning via PLC

• Hands-on experience with Python scripting for automation and data handling.

• Experience integrating SCADA systems (e.g., Ignition) with PLCs.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Level Degree and 0 years related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 2 years

Base Pay Range: $76,300.00 - $129,700.00 Annually

Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-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 [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.