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 Measurement, Analytics and Control (MACH) division is KLA’s software powerhouse, responsible for developing high-performance software platforms that support semiconductor manufacturing. MACH delivers cutting-edge technologies in patterning analytics, modeling, and data science—empowering chipmakers to ramp next-gen devices faster and more efficiently. Our cross-functional team of research scientists, software engineers, apps engineers and process engineers are solving the industry’s most complex technical problems.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.
This position is part of KLA’s MACH division, which develops and supports advanced modeling and software applications used by leading mask shops, wafer fabs, and OPC customers worldwide. These solutions enable customers to maximize yield and productivity across mask inspection, wafer inspection, review tools, and design tape-out processes.
The Applications Engineer within the Computational Products team partners closely with customers, as well as internal software and algorithm development teams, to deliver effective solutions to complex technical challenges. This role is highly customer-facing, requiring strong technical expertise and collaboration skills.
This position is expected to be primarily onsite at customer locations (>75% of the time) and includes approximately 15~30% travel to other customer sites.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide on-site and remote (phone/email) application support to customers
- Deliver product demonstrations and conduct end-user training sessions
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management, Engineering, Applications, and R&D teams to resolve critical customer issues
- Track and manage customer issues, ensuring timely updates and clear communication with stakeholders
- Prioritize and manage workload effectively in a dynamic, customer-driven environment
- Serve as a technical interface between customers and internal teams to ensure successful product adoption and satisfaction
Product Reference
Learn more about one of our solutions:
aiSIGHT product overview
https://www.kla.com/products/software-solutions/semiconductor#aisight
Collaboration & Expectations
To succeed in this role, the Applications Engineer must work closely with cross-functional teams across MACH, including R&D, Engineering, Sales, and Marketing. When engaging with external customers, the engineer is expected to represent KLA with professionalism, helping to build trust and long-term partnerships.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Electronics, Computer Science, or a related field
- Strong understanding of pattern image processing, particularly in SEM applications, strongly preferred
- Experience with Linux and programming languages such as Python, C, or C++ preferred
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams
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: $83,100.00 - $121,900.00 Annually Primary Location: USA-TX-Austin-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.
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 [email protected] 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.
Skills Required
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Electronics, Computer Science, or a related field
- Strong understanding of pattern image processing, particularly in SEM applications
- Experience with Linux
- Programming experience with Python, C, or C++
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively with customers and cross-functional teams
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.
