Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer, Precision Motion Stages

KLA•Milpitas, CA

2d•$141,300 - $240,200•Onsite

About The Position

The Central Engineering Team seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to design a next-generation stage design for high-vacuum platforms, meeting demanding ultra-precision and noise-control requirements! As a senior engineer, you will drive stage mechanical design from concept through validation and sustaining, partnering closely with controls, systems, and manufacturing teams to deliver nanometer-level accuracy and stability. If you are energized by solving hard precision- and vacuum-engineering problems for mission-critical semiconductor inspection equipment, we would like to hear from you!

Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, with experience in motion systems, precision mechanics, or mechatronics.
Proficiency in Creo/SolidWorks or a similar 3D CAD modeling tool, backed by several years of work experience, along with structural, thermal, and vibration/modal FEA.
Design-for-manufacturing (DFM) experience across machining, sheet metal, and castings; working knowledge of data-analysis tools such as Python or MATLAB.

Nice To Haves

Experience with feedback systems involving laser interferometers and high-resolution optical encoders, linear motors, linear guides, air bearings, and similar components.
Design experience with dynamic X-Y sub-micron positioning stages, including vibration and modal testing using accelerometers, impact hammers, and comparable instrumentation.
Semiconductor capital-equipment design experience.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and maintain the mechanical architecture of next-generation multi-DOF ultra-precision motion stages that operate under high vacuum for eBeam inspection and review, taking the work from concept through detailed design, prototyping, and validation to meet nanometer-level accuracy, stability, and noise-control targets, including: Multi-degree-of-freedom stage structures, flexures, and precision motion mechanisms. Vacuum- and UHV-compatible materials and hardware with low-outgassing, contamination-controlled design. Bearing, guide, and actuation selection such as air bearings, linear guides, and linear motors. Metrology and feedback integration, including laser interferometers and high-resolution encoders. Thermal management and drift compensation for stable, repeatable positioning. Structural dynamics, damping, and vibration/noise isolation.
Design parts and assemblies in Creo/SolidWorks and generate detailed drawings with GD&T, driving rigorous design-review and release discipline from requirements definition through validation and qualification.
Perform structural, thermal, and vibration/modal FEA and tolerance stack-up analysis to optimize stiffness, damping, accuracy, and manufacturability, and build, test, and troubleshoot prototypes — including modal testing with accelerometers and impact hammers — to characterize dynamic performance and correlate models against test data.
Partner closely with controls, systems, and manufacturing engineers to integrate the stage at the subsystem and system level and to improve performance, manufacturability, reliability, and serviceability.
Own supplier technical engagement for precision parts and subassemblies — motors, bearings, encoders, and machined or cast components — including vendor selection, qualification, and issue resolution.
Embed safety-by-design into mechanical solutions and develop service and production tooling such as jigs, fixtures, alignment tools, and handling concepts.