Diagnostics Software Engineer (AI/ML)

Company Overview

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.

Group/Division

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.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

We are seeking a hands-on, curious Software Engineer to join our Diagnostics & Calibration software team in Milpitas, CA. In this role you will design, develop, and deliver software that diagnoses and calibrates KLA's reticle inspection platforms. You will partner closely with physicists, hardware engineers, system teams, and global software organizations to translate complex system-level requirements into robust, scalable diagnostic and calibration solutions.

We are especially looking for an engineer energized by the current wave of AI — someone who actively explores modern AI/ML and generative-AI tooling and loves turning it into working applications. Beyond core systems development, you'll have real room to prototype and build AI-assisted tools that make diagnostics, calibration, and engineering workflows faster, smarter, and more reliable. If you're the kind of developer who spins up a proof-of-concept over a weekend, benchmarks a new model or framework because you're curious, and enjoys shipping tools people actually use, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain LabVIEW-based and multi-language software for diagnosing and calibrating KLA's reticle inspection platforms.

• Learn the existing diagnostics and calibration software architecture and contribute clean, maintainable, well-tested code to meet program goals.

• Translate system-level and user requirements into software designs, implementations, and test plans.

• Explore and apply AI/ML and generative-AI techniques — LLMs, agents, copilots, and automation — to build applications and internal tools that improve diagnostics, calibration, developer productivity, and data analysis.

• Rapidly prototype AI-driven proofs-of-concept, evaluate feasibility and impact, and mature promising ideas into production-ready tools.

• Improve software reliability, maintainability, performance, and scalability through sound design and refactoring.

• Build, maintain, and improve CI/CD pipelines and workflows to support reliable, automated build, test, and release of diagnostics & calibration software.

• Participate actively in design reviews, code reviews, and development best practices.

• Partner cross-functionally with hardware, subsystem, system, manufacturing, and service teams to deliver integrated solutions.

• Support root-cause analysis of complex system-level issues and drive effective, sustainable solutions.

• Travel occasionally to global sites and customer locations to support integration, bring-up, and deployment activities (up to ~10%).

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Physical Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Optics, Microscopy, or a related field.

• 4+ years of software development experience (or 2+ years with a Master's) building medium to large-scale applications in multi-developer environments.

• Proficiency with object-oriented design and experience with one or more additional languages such as Python, C++, or C#.

• Genuine enthusiasm for exploring AI/ML and generative-AI tools, with a demonstrated drive to build working applications with them; hands-on experience building applications with LLMs / generative AI — fine tuning, RAG, or agentic frameworks, or integrating AI APIs/copilots into engineering workflows - personal projects, prototypes, hackathons, or on-the-job tooling all count.

• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and practices (e.g., Git, Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps), including building and maintaining automated build, test, and release workflows.

• Strong background in software involving hardware-software interaction and system-level behavior.

• Demonstrated ability to translate user needs and system requirements into technical specifications and executable plans.

• Strong problem-solving skills with experience diagnosing and resolving complex issues.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in globally distributed teams.

• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

Preferred (not required)

• Experience in diagnostics, calibration, machine control, inspection, or metrology systems.

• Experience working in semiconductor capital equipment or similar complex hardware platforms.

• Familiarity with computer vision, image processing, or image analysis techniques.

• Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) or equivalent experience.

Base Pay Range: $136,300.00 - $231,700.00 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.

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 [email protected] or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.

Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to [email protected] to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.