Senior Optical Engineer

KLA
paid time off, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)
United States, California, Milpitas
Sep 04, 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. Preferred Qualifications We are looking for a Senior Optical Engineer to design, develop, build and qualify various optical subsystems that make up the inspection tool! Your work will include optical system design, optical alignment methodology, and analysis of various optical modules. You will also lead the design of a custom metrology system to verify and adjust the optical performance of our primary optical system. You will interact closely with the systems engineering group to define performance criteria and system level specification. During the design phase, you will work with hardware and software design teams following a rigorous product design protocol. Additional tasks include creating optical models, statistical tolerance analysis, performance predictions, leading design reviews, creating test procedures, and selecting suppliers. Responsibilities Investigate different design options and finding the best option through evaluating tolerances, manufacturability, light budgets and other trade-offs. Translate system or subsystem requirements into optical design and manufacturing requirements. Perform thorough tolerancing analysis to have a complete system design with full consideration of alignment process and metrology, system calibrations and opto-mech design limitations by working with other groups (systems, ME). Design and implement optical alignment and metrology process, test/tooling fixtures to achieve targeted optical performance. Follows complete design process, including design reviews, part procurement from vendors, testing, integration, and release. Investigate issues from customers or manufacturing and provide option design solution or work-around. Propose optical design improvements to enhance a tool performance such as SNR or throughput or manufacturability. Debug and solving of any optical problems that arise with the system. Qualifications Optical design in imaging and illumination systems delivering in-spec performance, cost and manufacturability on time. Statistical optical component and alignment tolerancing Able to create specs for precision opto-mechanical assemblies Proficiency in optical modeling software such as Code V or Zemax or LightTools Non-sequential ray tracing using Light Tools to model high precision optics surface scattering, conduct stray light analysis Optical module and system build, alignment and debugging Test stand design and build: concept, error budget, realization Knowledge with diverse optical devices and components such as objectives, collimator, CGH, and relay optics, fibers, cameras, lasers and detectors Strong understanding in optics and physics enabling to analyze complex optical phenomena Proficiency in computing language such as Matlab, Python Skills Ability to learn and apply new information or skills. Strong customer focus and commitment to customer satisfaction through prioritization, quality, efficiency, and professionalism. Ability to complete assignments with attention to detail and high degree of accuracy. Ability to perform effectively in a demanding environment with changing workloads and deadlines. Result driven-demonstrate ownership and accountability. Identifies bottlenecks and drives improvements. Work independently or as part of a team and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with manager, co-workers, and customer. Be able to quickly acquire technical knowledge from documentation and on-the-job training and be capable of thoroughly investigating technical issues (analytically and hands-on in a lab). Strong communication and presentation skill. Must have capability to clearly communicate progress and status of assignments to colleagues, key stakeholder, managers via documents or presentations. Experience Product development or research experience in high precision optics or optical module. Experience in working with engineers across disciplines to solve complex problems in a timely manner. Preferred Masters or PhD in Optical engineering (preferred) or Physics Three to five years of professional experience in high end optical system development; microscope experience is a bonus Experience in high precision optical tools' manufacturing is bonus, not mandatory. Highly desired to have strong background in following areas: Geometrical optics, Fourier optics, Lens design, Radiometry, Optical metrology, Illumination optics, Optical imaging system, Optical alignment, Polarization, Optical aberration Minimum Qualifications Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 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: $117,800.00 - $172,800.00 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.