Mechanical Design Engineer (vacuum system)

KLA•Milpitas, CA

2d•$117,800 - $200,300•Onsite

About The Position

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. With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA’s metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

Requirements

MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field (Applied Physics, Materials Science, EE, etc.).
8–12+ years in mechanical design and integration of complex systems (semiconductor equipment, precision instrumentation, multi‑chamber tools, or equivalent).
Strong foundation in mechanical engineering—precision design, structural/thermal/vibration analysis, contamination control, materials/finishes, and system‑level integration.
Proficiency in 3D CAD/PLM workflows; experience with analysis tools (ANSYS/COMSOL or similar); scripting (Python/Matlab) for data processing and modeling; collaboration with PLC/HMI teams.
Demonstrated cross‑functional leadership, clear technical communication, supplier interaction, issue‑resolution ownership, and mentoring experience.
Doctorate (Academic) or work experience of 2 years, Master's Level Degree or work experience of 4 years, Bachelor's Level Degree or work experience of 5 years

Nice To Haves

Experience collaborating on vacuum operation schemes and PLC‑controlled interlocks is a plus but not required as a primary role.
Familiarity with vacuum principles (pumping, conductance, gauging, cleanliness) desired.

Responsibilities

Lead the mechanical design, integration, and validation of complex, multi‑chamber subsystems, ensuring structural stability, precision performance, and robust contamination control.
Design and develop ultra‑clean vacuum system hardware, including chamber structures, interfaces, materials/finishes, seals, and internal components, applying UCV principles such as low‑outgassing materials, precision cleaning requirements, and contamination‑minimizing geometries.
Develop mechanical concepts and detailed designs for chambers, frames, interfaces, mounts, enclosures, and precision mechanisms; create drawings, specifications, and requirements for cross‑functional teams.
Drive structural, thermal, fluid, and vibrational analyses to optimize component performance and system stability.
Collaborate closely with optics, metrology, electrical, controls/PLC, software, manufacturing, and service teams to ensure subsystem compatibility and seamless system‑level integration.
Support vacuum‑related elements across chambers (e.g., main chamber, stage chamber, transfer chamber, etc.) by defining interfaces, mechanical constraints, and performance requirements that integrate with overall system design.
Contribute to the development and documentation of vacuum operation schemes (pump‑down, roughing, purge, vent, bake/clean cycles), and partner with Controls/SE on interlocks and sequencing.
Establish and maintain contamination‑control strategies—including materials selection, cleanliness/handling guidelines, and UCV‑grade component practices—working with Materials Engineering and Supply Chain to evaluate suppliers.
Perform first‑order and detailed analyses for pumping configurations, conductance effects, and subsystem‑level performance impacts; collaborate with vacuum specialists as needed for deeper modeling.
Lead mechanical and system‑level design reviews (CDR, DDR), ensuring design requirements flow correctly to partner teams (mechanical, electrical, opto‑mechanical, metrology, EFEM/loader, source).
Own integration of chambers and platform structures for vibration isolation, optical stability, and stage dynamic performance.
Plan, execute, and oversee test activities—prototype chambers, subsystem test stands, and pre‑factory builds—including instrumentation, test methods, data analysis, and acceptance metrics.
Manage risk through FMEA, issue tracking, corrective actions, and design‑for‑reliability improvements across NPI and into HVM.
Mentor engineers, establish best practices (DfX, contamination handling, documentation standards), and maintain engineering artifacts and decision rationale for long‑term R&D continuity.