Product Development Engineer (Metrology/Imaging System)

Job Title

Product Development Engineer (Metrology/Imaging System)

Role Summary

Lead system-level development for next-generation mask inspection/metrology platforms. Coordinate across mechanical, electron optics, electrical, software, and systems teams to define requirements, design subsystems, integrate prototypes, and validate system performance.

Experience Level

Mid-level. Experience expectations vary by degree: PhD-level candidates may have 0 years of required experience; Master’s-level typically ~3 years; Bachelor’s-level typically ~5 years (see Education Requirements).

Responsibilities

Deliver system requirements, design, integration, testing, and support for metrology/imaging inspection systems.

• Define subsystem architectures, develop requirement specifications, and create test plans.
• Coordinate project activities and align stakeholders across functions to meet technical, schedule, and budget targets.
• Review and validate designs with mechanical, optics, electrical, and software teams.
• Participate in prototype integration, system-level testing, and first-article verification.
• Create and document calibration, manufacturing, and service procedures; establish workflows and train stakeholders.
• Troubleshoot system and subsystem issues; lead or assist field and manufacturing escalations.
• Support customers and internal teams to optimize tool performance and processes.
• Travel up to 25% (domestic and international).

Requirements

Core technical and interpersonal skills required to perform the role. Education degree levels and associated experience are listed in Education Requirements below and have been removed from this section.

• Must-have: Demonstrated system-level development or integration experience across multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, optics, electrical, software).
• Must-have: Strong problem-solving, analytical, and troubleshooting skills for precision mechanical, motion control, imaging, and electron-optical subsystems.
• Must-have: Ability to define requirements, create test plans, and validate system performance through logical analysis and hands-on testing.
• Must-have: Excellent verbal and written communication, attention to detail, and ownership mindset.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with digital signal processing and imaging systems (optical or electron-beam), particle beam physics, electron optics, or SEM instrumentation.
• Nice-to-have: Experience with scripting (Python, MATLAB) for image/signal processing and building functional executables.
• Nice-to-have: Strong command of physics, mathematics, and computational techniques relevant to imaging and metrology.

Education Requirements

Minimum qualifications specify degree-based experience: Doctorate (PhD) with 0 years related work experience; Master’s degree with ~3 years related work experience; Bachelor’s degree with ~5 years related work experience. Preferred academic backgrounds include engineering, physics, computer science, or other related technical fields. The posting refers to "related work experience" as the acceptable practical experience linked to the degree level.

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.