C++)

KLA•Milpitas, CA

2d•$159,500 - $271,200•Onsite

About The Position

We’re seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Embedded Software Engineer to join our dynamic team in the RAPID division. In this role, you’ll be instrumental in designing, developing, and sustaining the complex embedded software that powers our industry-leading reticle inspection systems. You’ll provide technical leadership, mentor team members, and contribute significantly to the architecture and implementation of real-time control systems, sensor and image-capture pipelines, and hardware interfaces. We’re looking for an exceptional technical leader who is eager to influence team direction, strengthen leadership capabilities, and shape project planning and execution. You’ll drive key technical decisions, mentor others, and play a central role in delivering successful project outcomes.

Requirements

MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Control Systems, or a related field.
8+ years of embedded software development experience in an industrial environment.
Strong C/C++ programming skills with a solid foundation in Object-Oriented Design and Programming (OOD/OOP).
Deep experience with Linux/RTOS environments, multithreading, synchronization, and software architecture design.
Working knowledge of communication protocols such as RS-232 serial, Ethernet, EtherCAT, and TCP/IP socket and network programming.
Strong software debugging and troubleshooting skills.
Hands-on experience developing software/firmware for motion control and real-time control applications — including closed-loop servo control, classical or modern control theory, and control of stepper, servo, and/or piezo motors.
Ability to apply first-principles and physics-based thinking to analyze complex systems.
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to present and defend software designs in technical reviews.
Self-motivated and collaborative, with high curiosity, a fast-learning mindset, and perseverance — driven to turn prototype ideas into production-quality code for mission-critical applications.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on laboratory experience with electrical, mechanical, and optical measurement instruments.
Experience with semiconductor fab operations or manufacturing technology.
Linux administration and UML modeling knowledge.
Proficiency in Python or another scripting language.
Project planning and management skills.

Responsibilities

Lead the Charge: Spearhead the design, development, and deployment of complex software and firmware for machine control in semiconductor inspection systems — including demanding real-time embedded applications built in C/C++ for electro-mechanical control, running on an RTOS (real-time Linux, VxWorks) in high-reliability environments.
Architect the Future: Design and implement robust, scalable software for system control, high-speed data acquisition, image processing, and intricate hardware interaction; translate system-level requirements into sound software design and implementation.
Collaborate across Boundaries: Partner with multidisciplinary experts across mechanical, systems, electrical, optics, opto-mechanical, algorithms, and applications teams to build truly integrated solutions.
Mentor and Inspire: Guide junior engineers, share your expertise, and cultivate a team culture centered on technical excellence and growth.
Drive Best Practices: Champion modern software development methodologies (Agile, CI/CD, automated testing); define and execute test plans to measure subsystem performance, then document, analyze, and present the results.
Solve Tough Problems: Dive deep to troubleshoot complex system-level issues and optimize performance-critical software.
Shape the Strategy: Contribute to project planning, risk management, and technical roadmap discussions, participating across all stages of development — design, implementation, deployment, testing, and troubleshooting.