Customer Engagement Applications Engineer – SFS

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. We invent systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers, reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards, and flat panel displays. Our teams thrive on tackling complex problems, with 15% of sales reinvested into R&D.

About the role

Join KLA’s Surfscan Division, the leader in unpatterned wafer inspection for semiconductor manufacturing. As an Applications Engineer, you’ll partner with customers and cross-functional teams to optimize Surfscan tools, create innovative applications, and drive enhancements for next-generation products. This role blends deep technical expertise with customer engagement to ensure our solutions deliver maximum value.

Responsibilities

• Support, maintain, and troubleshoot Surfscan tools in customer environments
• Diagnose tool issues, identify corrective actions, and ensure optimal tool performance
• Work closely with service and engineering teams to resolve hardware/software issues
• Develop applications and Best Known Methods (BKMs) to solve complex customer challenges and improve tool capability
• Create use cases, scope new features, identify issues, and drive bug fixes
• Maintain strategic customer relationships and assist sales teams with technical assessments
• Develop and document training materials, and provide technical training
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define requirements for future products

Qualifications

• MS or Ph.D. or equivalent experience in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Optics, Material Science, or related field
• Experience in semiconductor fabrication or equivalent educational experience
• Strong knowledge of semiconductor process flows and defect types
• Experience in system-level troubleshooting, diagnostics, and reporting
• Cleanroom experience and semiconductor device characterization
• Familiarity with computer operating systems, networking, and analysis tools
• Minimum qualifications: Doctorate and 3 years of related work experience; Master’s and 6 years; or Bachelor’s and 8 years

Skills

• Strong customer focus and ability to build collaborative relationships
• Experience with lasers and optics
• Motivation to innovate and proactively deliver exceptional customer outcomes
• Proven technical leadership and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management skills
• Ability to present technical content to diverse audiences
• Data analysis tools (Excel, JMP, Minitab, Igor, Origin, ImageJ, etc.)
• Programming (Matlab, LabVIEW, Python, etc.)

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits
• 401(K) with company matching
• Employee stock purchase program (ESPP)
• Student debt assistance and tuition reimbursement
• Development and career growth opportunities
• Financial planning benefits
• Wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP)
• Paid time off, paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave

Pay

Base pay range: $119,000.00 – $202,300.00 annually. Actual pay depends on job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Primary location: USA-OR-Hillsboro-Beaverton-KLA