Customer Engagement Applications Engineer - Southern California - SPTS Division

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 SPTS division provides advanced wafer processing solutions—including etch, deposition and vapor-based technologies—designed for R&D through high-volume production. With a global presence and strong customer support network, SPTS helps manufacturers across industries improve performance, yield and cost-efficiency. It also offers comprehensive service and spare parts through a worldwide network of service centers and qualified local agents.

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.

KLA – SPTS Division – Applications Engineer

KLA Group/Division

The KLA SPTS division wafer processing solutions include market-leading silicon etch, dielectric etch, dry-release etch, PVD, PECVD and molecular vapor deposition (MVD®), available with a range of wafer-handling options applicable to R&D, pilot production, or volume production environments. KLA’s SPTS department is headquartered and has its main manufacturing facility in Newport, UK, with additional manufacturing in Allentown, Pennsylvania. KLA/SPTS operates across 19 countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, and offers comprehensive service and spare parts support through a worldwide network of service centers and qualified local agents.

The Applications team is field-based and customer-facing. The team supports process-related needs and is well suited for candidates with semiconductor industry interest and experience.

Responsibilities

• Deliver, demonstrate, and implement process solutions that meet or exceed customer requirements – primary location is in Southern California (Greater Los Angeles and/or Southern California Area).
• Install customer-specific processes on both new and used systems, verifying compliance with agreed process specifications – “Process Transfer”.
• Enhance procedures, specifications, and existing processes to support the delivery of high-quality equipment, exceeding customer requirements.
• On-site attendance for process installation, development and update meetings where needed, along with remote support for customers.
• Collaboration with internal SPTS hardware and factory groups to ensure:
  • Proper tool/module software and hardware setup
  • Timely and appropriate issues reporting
  • Smooth timeline for process qualifications
• Collaboration with sales team on new applications or potential for future tool sales
• Make presentations for all onsite projects – executive reviews and detailed summaries
• Proactive offering of solutions where required – current and future-facing
• In depth compilation analysis of data – some of it complex with multiple variables
• Develop familiarity with necessary process modules and endpoint capabilities

Key Behavioral Competencies

• Able to communicate effectively with engineers and executives.
• Flexible and highly motivated with a “hands on”, “can do” approach.
• Able to work both independently (unsupervised) and as part of a small to medium-sized team with generally tight deadlines.
• Able to carry out relevant project work in a multi-tasked, manner with daily planning.
• Data-driven with basic understanding of design of experiments and statistical process control
• Able to effectively mentor other team members as required.
• Willingness to work away from home at specific customer site(s) or abroad for extended periods of time on short notice. Estimated travel for this position is 60%.

Qualifications

· Educated to degree level in a relevant science or engineering discipline

· Ideal candidates have 3+ years of hands-on semiconductor industry experience (process engineering with basic understanding of general semiconductor manufacturing flows)

· Knowledge of clean room procedures and analytical instrumentation desired.

· Experience of report writing / progress presentations on a routine and frequent basis – using the Microsoft Office Suite

· Familiarity with basic Lean/6-sigma concepts desired

· Familiarity with using AI (CoPilot) for efficient workflows

· Experience dealing with customers and ability to handle difficult situations

Minimum Qualifications

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

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: $102,000.00 - $173,400.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-CA-Remote-US01K

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 talent.acquisition@kla.com 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.