Optical Engineer
- Pay
- $117,800 – $172,800 per year
- Location
- Milpitas, CA
- Listed
- 3 days ago
About the role
To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale-faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.
Group/Division
The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA's product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices.
Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics.
The Broadband Plasma (BBP) division is the market-leading optical inspection system used by logic, foundry, and memory customers to detect critical defects at advanced nodes. These tools combine broadband plasma technology with unmatched sensitivity and speed to support high-volume manufacturing.
What You'll Do
In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.
Qualifications
- Solid background in optics such as imaging system aberrations, Fourier optics, polarization, Radiometry etc.
- Experience in high precision and sophisticated optical alignment and imaging performance validation.
- Capable of modeling optical performance, defining tolerances and degree of freedom for optical assembly using CodeV or LightTools.
- Demonstrate detail oriented and methodical problem-solving skills in multi-disciplinary environment and hands-on lab work
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Intermediate knowledge of Matlab or Python is required.
- International travel with short notice up to 20% is required.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years. International travel with short notice up to 20% is required.
Total Rewards
Base Pay Range: $117,800.00 - $172,800.00 Annually Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLA
KLA's total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.
- Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed.
- Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location.
- The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting.
- Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training.
We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Use of AI Statement
- At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking.
- Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy.
- KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.
About KLA
We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.
Equal opportunity and legal notices
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at or at to request accommodation.
For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.
To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews-whether virtual or in person-is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer.
From KLA's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on November 6, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
How Rolev.ai helps with this application
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More at KLA
All KLA jobsCommon questions
What is the salary for the Optical Engineer role at KLA?
The Optical Engineer posting at KLA states compensation of $117,800 – $172,800 per year. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on KLA's official career site.
Where is the Optical Engineer job at KLA located?
This Optical Engineer position at KLA is located in Milpitas, CA. Always check KLA's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
How do I apply for the Optical Engineer position at KLA?
This listing links directly to KLA's Workday application page. You can apply directly on KLA's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Workday application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.