Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer

KLA
$141300.00-$207233.00
paid time off, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)
United States, California, Milpitas
Sep 27, 2026
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 RAPID division leads the industry in reticle inspection solutions, helping ensure high lithography yields and cost-effective semiconductor manufacturing. Its systems support both mask shops and fabs by detecting defects early in the process, enabling faster, more reliable production. 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. The Senior Mechanical Design Engineer will lead the mechanical redesign of critical semiconductor inspection modules involving Ultra-High Vacuum (UHV), High Voltage (HV), precision mechanisms, and complex electro-mechanical integration. This role will provide technical leadership throughout the product lifecycle-from requirements definition through design, qualification, manufacturing transfer, and sustaining support. The engineer will drive subsystem architecture, design decisions, supplier strategy, risk management, and cross-functional execution while mentoring junior engineers and influencing product direction. Responsibilities Lead the development of complex UHV and HV mechanical systems and assemblies. Own subsystem architecture, requirements flow-down, interface definition, and technical decision-making. Drive major redesign initiatives to improve performance, reliability, manufacturability, serviceability, and cost. Lead tolerance analysis, error budgeting, GD&T strategy, and performance verification. Define and execute structural, thermal, vibration, vacuum, and reliability analyses. Lead design reviews and develop mitigation plans for technical risks. Partner with Systems, Electron Optics, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing, Reliability, and Supply Chain teams to ensure successful integration. Build strong technical relationships with suppliers and oversee fabrication, qualification, and process transfers. Lead root-cause investigations and resolution of complex field, manufacturing, and integration issues. Develop qualification strategies and validate subsystem performance against requirements. Mentor junior engineers and establish engineering best practices. Support product roadmap planning and future architecture development. Desired Skills and Experience Deep expertise in precision mechanical design for semiconductor capital equipment. Extensive knowledge of UHV system design, vacuum hardware, contamination control, and vacuum-compatible materials. Strong understanding of high-voltage mechanical integration, electrical isolation, feedthroughs, and safety considerations. Expert-level GD&T, tolerance analysis, error budgeting, and design-for-manufacturing practices. Experience leading multidisciplinary technical projects. Advanced knowledge of FEA, thermal analysis, modal analysis, creep, stress relaxation, and structural mechanics. Demonstrated supplier management experience including design reviews, qualification, process transfer, and problem resolution. Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills. Excellent technical communication, leadership, and collaboration abilities. Expert proficiency with Creo/ProE or similar CAD tools. Experience in the development and integration of semiconductor capital equipment. Hands-on experience in vibration measurement, analysis, troubleshooting, and mitigation for precision systems. Strong data analysis skills, including statistical evaluation, interpretation, and presentation of engineering data. Typical Experience Semiconductor equipment, electron beam systems, vacuum systems, or precision instrumentation experience strongly preferred. Minimum Qualifications Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 6 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 8 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: $141,300.00 - $207,233.00 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 attalent.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.