Sr. Manager Advanced Process Technology

KLA•Milpitas, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

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 SPTS division provides advanced wafer processing solutions—including etch, deposition and vapor-based technologies—designed for R&D through high-volume production. With a global presence and strong customer support network, SPTS helps manufacturers across industries improve performance, yield and cost-efficiency. It also offers comprehensive service and spare parts through a worldwide network of service centers and qualified local agents. In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise. KLA is seeking a highly accomplished Sr. to lead technology research and strategic development activities within our Plasma Etch organization. This individual will serve as a recognized technical leader responsible for identifying emerging plasma etch technology trends, understanding future customer requirements, and translating market insights into next-generation product strategies. In this role, you will collaborate closely with engineering, product management, and executive leadership teams to drive technology roadmaps, influence future product architectures, and support the successful launch of advanced plasma etch solutions. Your deep understanding of etch processes, chamber technologies, materials interactions, and semiconductor device scaling will be instrumental in shaping KLA's future technology direction.

Requirements

Demonstrated expertise in plasma etch process development, chamber hardware, and advanced semiconductor device manufacturing.
Strong understanding of customer technology roadmaps, logic and memory device scaling trends, and semiconductor manufacturing challenges.
Experience influencing product strategy and technology direction through customer engagement and market analysis.
Proven track record leading cross-functional technical programs and technology development efforts.
M.S. or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related semiconductor discipline.
15+ years of experience developing plasma etch equipment, processes, or semiconductor manufacturing technologies.

Nice To Haves

Recognized industry expert in plasma etch technologies.
Experience leading technology teams, research organizations, or advanced development groups.
Deep knowledge of chamber materials, plasma-surface interactions, RF systems, process integration, and advanced device architectures.
Strong customer-facing and executive communication skills with the ability to translate technical insights into business strategy.
Experience supporting product commercialization and technology adoption in high-volume manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

Lead advanced research initiatives focused on emerging plasma etch technologies and semiconductor manufacturing trends.
Develop long-term technology roadmaps aligned with customer needs and industry requirements.
Serve as a key technical advisor to engineering teams in the design and development of future etch products and platforms.
Evaluate evolving customer device architectures, process challenges, and technology inflections to identify new business and product opportunities.
Provide technical leadership in areas including plasma physics, process development, chamber materials, hardware architecture, and process integration.
Partner cross-functionally with R&D, product management, marketing, field applications, and executive stakeholders to define strategic investment priorities.
Drive technical assessments of competitive technologies, market trends, and emerging semiconductor manufacturing requirements.
Lead and mentor a team of scientists and engineers while fostering innovation and technical excellence.
Support new technology introductions and product launches from concept through commercialization.
Represent KLA with key customers, industry consortiums, technical conferences, and strategic partners.