Director - R&D, Advanced Technologies (SensArray)

About the role

KLA's SensArray division leads in in-situ measurement and process control for semiconductor fabs and mask shops, supporting both R&D and high-volume manufacturing. As Director of R&D, Advanced Technologies, you will define and execute the long-term technology roadmap, drive next-generation semiconductor process characterization solutions and lead the transition of advanced technologies into scalable products. The role sits within the Semiconductor Products and Customers business unit.

Key responsibilities

• Define and execute the long-term SensArray technology, innovation strategy and roadmap, and lead advanced R&D programs covering temperature and wafer handling projects.
• Drive N+1 and N+2 product planning and technology incubation, and build and lead multidisciplinary engineering and R&D teams.
• Develop a portfolio of innovation programs from concept through commercialization and collaborate with Product Management, Applications and Systems Engineering and customers.
• Manage intellectual property: invention disclosures, patent strategy, technology differentiation and IP protection.
• Build models to simulate semiconductor process areas such as thermal, plasma and mechanical properties, and support leadership with technology assessments and investment recommendations.
• Ensure the transition of advanced technology programs into product development and manufacturing, and identify and manage program risks.
• Lead managers, set objectives, budgets and resource plans, and communicate the technology strategy to executives, customers and external stakeholders.

Required profile

• Preferred: Ph.D. or Master's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Physics, Materials Science, Semiconductor Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum qualification: doctorate with at least 10 years of relevant experience, or a Master's with at least 13 years.
• 15+ years of experience in semiconductor equipment, metrology, sensors, process control or related fields, and 8+ years leading engineering and technical development organizations.
• Track record of delivering technology programs from concept to commercialization, and experience with long-range roadmaps and R&D investment strategies.
• Experience with sensors, advanced packaging, process monitoring, thermal characterization, automation, AI-enabled analytics and industrial sensing solutions.
• Experience modeling thermal, plasma and mechanical properties in the semiconductor process flow, and a history of patent generation.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes and technology trends.
• Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills.
• Business acumen linking technology strategy to revenue growth and market expansion.
• Experience leading globally distributed engineering organizations.

What we offer

• Base pay range of $192,000 to $288,000 annually.
• Possible performance incentives, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, ESPP, tuition reimbursement, EAP, paid time off and family care leave.