Sr. Mechanical Engineer

KLA•Milpitas, CA

2d•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. About RAPID The RAPID division is the leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. We deliver advanced inspection systems to both mask shops and semiconductor fabs, ensuring consistently high lithography yields and enabling cost-effective manufacturing. Role Overview We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our RAPID engineering team, supporting the development of next-generation semiconductor capital equipment. This role requires a strong technical foundation combined with an ownership mindset—from concept through manufacturing handoff. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguous environments, brings clarity to requirements, and leads complex engineering efforts end-to-end. As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will develop sophisticated precision mechanical and opto-mechanical inspection systems. You will take full ownership of the design process—from requirements definition and feasibility studies through detailed design, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing release.

Requirements

Doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) with 2+ years of experience, OR Master’s degree with 4+ years of experience, OR Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of experience
Strong technical expertise in at least two of the following areas: Structural/FEA analysis, Modal & vibration analysis, Thermal engineering, Fluid flow / CFD
Experience designing mechanical systems
Extensive experience with CAD assemblies and detailed drawings
Experience creating procedures for manufacturing, field installation, and service
Proven track record of taking ownership of sophisticated engineering problems and delivering solutions
Strong decision-making skills with demonstrated accountability and follow-through
Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in semiconductor capital equipment or similar high-complexity hardware systems
Familiarity with: Vibration damping and isolation techniques, GD&T, tolerance stack-up, and precision engineering, Manufacturing processes (machining, sheet metal, welding, etc.)
Experience leading projects from concept through manufacturing release
A self-starter who can bring structure to ambiguity
A systems thinker who understands cross-disciplinary trade-offs
A technical leader who takes pride in ownership and delivery
Someone comfortable operating in a fast-paced, multi-project environment

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end mechanical design and development, from requirements definition through manufacturing release
Translate ambiguous or high-level requirements into clear, actionable engineering specifications
Perform and guide detailed engineering analyses, including: Structural analysis, Modal and vibration analysis, Thermal analysis, Fluid flow modeling
Design and optimize systems with a focus on vibration isolation and damping performance
Drive concept development, engineering studies, and design decisions, balancing performance, cost, and manufacturability
Own subsystem or product-level deliverables, ensuring technical quality, schedule adherence, and accountability
Collaborate cross-functionally with systems, manufacturing, suppliers, and service teams
Support design reviews (RDR, CDR, DDR), validation, and system integration
Lead manufacturing handoff, including documentation, vendor engagement, and issue resolution during builds