Lead Hardware Design Engineer

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.

The ICOS Vision Systems division focuses on the backend of the line semiconductor industry providing fully automated tools to inspect and sort, finished integrated circuit packages. For more than 15 years, ICOS has been a market leader with tray-to-tray and tray-to-tape inspection and sorting tools found in the production facilities of all major chipmakers in the world. Our market-leading technology and superior customer service requires strong talent in optics, machine control, algorithms and applications within our engineering teams. The ICOS division headquarters are in Leuven, Belgium with additional engineering and manufacturing operations in Singapore and Shenzhen (China).

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Be part of the team that provides the “Vision Engine” serving as the core processing unit for all inspection tools. By using groundbreaking technology both in hardware and software we can deliver the best performing systems and applications to all our customers. We are always looking for state-of-the-art technologies that we can use or integrate, allowing us to build next-generation products that help our customers to stay ahead in their markets.
 

Job Description

We are seeking a Hardware Systems Engineer to lead the development of high-performance imaging systems for semiconductor inspection and metrology. This role combines deep technical expertise in hardware design and system integration with strong leadership capabilities. You will be responsible for architecting and delivering complex rack-mounted computer systems with PCIe-based processing boards and advanced camera interfaces, while mentoring Level II hardware engineers and representing the team in management updates on roadmap programs.

Your work involves:

• Lead the design and development of custom hardware processing boards using the most advanced FPGA’s and CPUs for high-speed image acquisition and processing.
• Interface with various industrial camera technologies including CoaXPress (CXP), GigE Vision and with next generation QSFP interface.
• Architect and integrate rack-mounted computer systems with PCIe slots, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of our inspection tools.
• Collaborate with software, mechanical, and vision system engineers to align and deliver complete imaging solutions.
• Select and collaborate with external development partners, including defining technical requirements, monitoring progress, and guiding projects to successful completion.
• Guide and mentor hardware engineers, supporting their technical growth and project execution.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices (EMC, CE, SEMI)
• Drive continuous improvement in hardware development processes and documentation.

Minimum Qualifications

Requirements:

• 10-15 years of hands-on experience in hardware/system development, preferably PC systems used in the semiconductor or industrial imaging domain.
• Proficiency in FPGA programming (preferably VHDL) being able to supervise the integration and validation. Maintaining product design for future extensions.
• Proven expertise in PCB design, signal integrity, and board-level debugging.
• Strong understanding of PCIe architecture and system-level integration. Experience with camera interfacing technologies and frame grabbers.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail while maintaining a high-level overview.
• Ability to mentor and coach Level II hardware engineers and drive major programs.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• Proficient in English.

We offer a competitive, family friendly total rewards package. We design our programs to reflect our commitment to an inclusive environment, while ensuring we provide benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees.

KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer

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