Staff Optical Engineer

About the role

KLA's Broadband Plasma (BBP) division develops optical inspection systems used by logic, foundry and memory customers to detect critical defects at advanced nodes. This Staff Optical Engineer joins a team of optical engineers to develop innovative wafer inspection products, owning the complete design process of one or more optical subsystems that support the BBP roadmap.

Key responsibilities

• Identify, develop and document optical system requirements by communicating with key suppliers and internal teams such as marketing, technology and system engineering.
• Lead or support the proposal of subsystem architecture and translate requirements into optical architecture features, error budgets and required metrology.
• Conduct feasibility studies through optical analysis and design new parts, modules and system integration processes and tooling.
• Test, qualify and release optics, opto-mechanical modules and entire subsystems.
• Work with suppliers to specify acceptance criteria and improve incoming material quality.
• Lead resolution of complex problems for both prototype and released systems.

Required profile

• Preferred: solid background in optics such as imaging system aberrations, Fourier optics, polarization and radiometry.
• Preferred: experience developing architecture and new concepts for high-complexity, high-precision optical imaging or measurement systems.
• Preferred: experience modeling optical performance of as-built systems with error budgets, alignment and metrology using CodeV or LightTools.
• Preferred: proficiency in MATLAB or Python for image processing and data analysis.
• Preferred: self-starter, detail-oriented, effective communicator, able to lead or support others; international travel up to 15%.
• Education: doctorate with 3 years of related experience, master's with 6 years, or bachelor's with 8 years of related experience.

What we offer

• Base pay range of $141,300 to $207,233 annually.
• Possible performance incentive programs and benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching, ESPP, tuition reimbursement, EAP, paid time off and family care leave.