Software Engineer

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 Surfscan® division develops unpatterned wafer inspection systems that detect nanoscale particles and surface defects early in semiconductor manufacturing. Its systems monitor wafer quality across a wide range of applications, enabling faster issue identification and improved process control.

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.

Candidate must have a Bachelor’s with 5+ years’ work experience / Master's Degree with 3+ year work experience or PhD majoring in Computer Science / Computer Engineering / Electrical Engineering or equivalent.

• Proven experience developing and troubleshooting multidisciplinary SW/HW systems, ideally involving large software systems or semiconductor products. 
• Extensive experience in C++ development, with a strong foundation in object-oriented design, system-level programming, and software architecture.
• Working knowledge of multithreading and multiprocessing concepts. 
• Hands-on experience developing applications on Windows and/or Linux operating systems. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on debugging complex systems. 
• Deep familiarity with memory management/memory optimization.
• Expertise in performance profiling, debugging, and system optimization.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git) and CI/CD pipelines in production environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Required Skills & Competencies 

• Solid grasp of object-oriented design principles and relational database design patterns. 

• Thorough knowledge of the software development life cycle (SDLC) and software engineering practices across analysis, design, development, and unit testing. 

• Familiarity with AI tools and technologies that accelerate development and testing. 

• Ability to interact and communicate with all levels of staff and management, keeping discussions at the appropriate level of abstraction and moving cleanly from theory to implementation. 
• Ability to travel to customer sites on short notices for Software troubleshooting as needed. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Knowledge of STL, the Boost library, WinDBG, and Windows internals. 

• Domain knowledge of semiconductor process control or wafer inspection.

Minimum Qualifications

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: $136,300.00 - $199,900.00 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 [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.