Optics Research Scientist / Technologist

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 Office of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) plays a critical role in developing advanced long-range technology in collaboration with product divisions and strategic marketing, working on future technology like light sources, lasers, and sensors. We are engaged in the research and development process, and once the technology is mature, we partner with product engineering groups who then build products based on the technology we’ve developed. The Office of the CTO also provides technical input into KLA’s strategic planning process, program reviews and Product Life Cycle (PLC) phases. We provide our broad technology expertise and cross-division experience to ensure we leverage the collective knowledge within our company.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

The successful candidate will join a high-caliber team of technologists in the CTO group driving innovation in the areas of sensors, sources, and optics.  The current job description entails working closely with strategic suppliers in the design, development and manufacturing of advanced optical systems. The candidate will engage with KLA technologist at the architecture stage and provide relevant technical input related to optics supplier selection, technical risk assessment and manufacturability.

The key responsibilities of this role are:

• Develop supplier technology roadmap to enable KLA’s product roadmap.

• Provide leadership and continuity of relationship with technology supplier.

• Be accountable for technology success from R&D to Production.

• Drive coordination between CTO, Divisions, and other teams.

• Support technology prototyping, problem solving and risk mitigation.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be respected as a subject matter expert in their field.

• Must have good communication and collaboration skills, experience with customer presentations and ability to resolve conflicts.

• Technical expertise in coatings including coating designs, coating processes, coating materials is highly desired.

• Hands-on experience with optical material characterization, thin film coating systems and technologies. Ability to troubleshoot and problem solving.

• Ability to travel up to 10% internationally

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in optical inspection and metrology systems.

• Knowledge of DUV/UV optics suppliers, coating equipment manufacturers.

• Familiarity with thin film metrology methods (e.g. Spectroscopy, Ellipsometry, SEM/TEM, AFM, EDS, and XRD, etc.) and defect analysis. 

• Understanding of photo-contamination control, cleanroom protocols, and optics cleaning/surface preparation techniques.

• Knowledge of lasers and understanding of laser damage threshold and DUV degradation mechanisms.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD or MS in Optics, Physics, EE or related field with a minimum of 5 years relevant industry experience.

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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