Product Development Engineer

Job Title

Product Development Engineer

Role Summary

KLA develops metrology and inspection systems for semiconductor manufacturing. The Product Development Engineer leads cross-functional teams through product development, improvement, and field support for Scatterometry Critical Dimension (SCD) metrology products.

Primary responsibilities include driving corrective actions, diagnosing complex system issues, coordinating across optics/electronics/mechanics/software/algorithms, and communicating requirements and performance with customers to enable R&D and high-volume production.

Experience Level

Mid-level. Experience guidance per minimum qualifications: Doctorate — 0 years; Master’s — 3 years; Bachelor’s — 5 years.

Responsibilities

The engineer will lead product improvement and launch activities, act as primary technical contact for selected customers, and coordinate cross-discipline resolution of complex issues.

• Own customer-facing new product engagements and respond to customer requirements.
• Lead development and execution of corrective action plans; collaborate with R&D to improve product design.
• Perform initial system diagnosis, analyze system data, identify root causes, and implement solutions for complex technical problems.
• Conduct trade-off analyses, define plans of action, and communicate execution strategies to internal teams and customers.
• Drive product/feature introductions: update alignment/calibration/troubleshooting procedures, train operations and field personnel.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (optics, electronics, mechanics, software, algorithms) to deliver integrated solutions.
• Support manufacturing transition and advanced customer issue resolution; travel domestically or internationally up to 40% as required.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills, practical experience, and communication abilities required to perform the role.

• Solid foundation in optical systems, opto-mechanics, and physics; strong analytical and system-level problem-solving skills.
• Experience diagnosing and resolving complex system-level issues using appropriate problem-solving methods.
• Hands-on experience with constructing and aligning opto-mechanical systems is highly desirable.
• Experience in semiconductor capital equipment or semiconductor manufacturing environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers and internal teams across cultures; proficient in Chinese and English.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 40% for customer support and training.

Education Requirements

Master or PhD in Optics, Physics, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, or a related technical field is stated. Minimum-qualification guidance: Doctorate — 0 years related experience; Master’s — 3 years related experience; Bachelor’s — 5 years related experience. The posting allows equivalent related work experience aligned with those degree-level experience expectations.

About the Company

Company: KLA

Headquarters: Chennai, India

KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The company enables the production of electronic devices by inventing systems and solutions for manufacturing integrated circuits, wafers, and displays. With over 40 years of experience, KLA invests heavily in innovation and R&D to support advanced chip design and manufacturing process optimization, collaborating with top technology providers to deliver future electronic devices.