Mechanical Design Engineer (Vacuum Systems)

About the role

KLA's Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells inspection, metrology and analytics systems used by chip manufacturers. This Mechanical Design Engineer role focuses on vacuum systems for semiconductor equipment, working on multi-chamber subsystems in the RAPID division, which leads reticle inspection solutions. The pay range is $117,800 to $172,800 annually.

Key responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design, integration and validation of complex multi-chamber subsystems, ensuring structural stability, precision performance and contamination control.
• Design ultra-clean vacuum hardware (chambers, interfaces, seals, internal components) using UCV principles such as low-outgassing materials and contamination-minimizing geometries.
• Create detailed designs, drawings and specifications for chambers, frames, mounts, enclosures and precision mechanisms.
• Run structural, thermal, fluid and vibrational analyses to optimize component performance and system stability.
• Work with optics, metrology, electrical, controls/PLC, software, manufacturing and service teams on system integration.
• Define interfaces and performance requirements for vacuum elements (main chamber, stage chamber, transfer chamber).
• Help document vacuum operation schemes (pump-down, roughing, purge, vent, bake/clean cycles) and coordinate interlocks and sequencing with Controls/SE.
• Establish contamination-control strategies and work with Materials Engineering and Supply Chain on supplier evaluation.
• Analyze pumping configurations and conductance effects, and lead design reviews (CDR, DDR).
• Plan and run prototype tests, test stands and pre-factory builds, and manage risk through FMEA and design-for-reliability improvements.
• Mentor engineers, set best practices and keep engineering artifacts up to date.

Required profile

• MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a 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).
• Minimum qualification: doctorate or 2 years' experience, master's or 4 years' experience, bachelor's or 5 years' experience.
• Experience with vacuum operation schemes and PLC-controlled interlocks is a plus but not required.

Required skills

• Strong mechanical engineering foundation: precision design, structural/thermal/vibrational analysis, contamination control, materials and finishes, system integration.
• Familiarity with vacuum principles (pumping, conductance, gauging, cleanliness) desired.
• 3D CAD/PLM workflows; analysis tools such as ANSYS/COMSOL or similar.
• Scripting (Python/Matlab) for data processing and modeling; collaboration with PLC/HMI teams.

What we offer

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance and other voluntary benefits.
• 401(k) with company matching, ESPP, student debt assistance and tuition reimbursement.
• Wellness benefits including an EAP, paid time off, paid holidays and family care leave.