Regional Development Applications Engineer

Job Title

Regional Development Applications Engineer

Role Summary

Support product evaluations and develop solutions for gap defect detection and process optimization at customer semiconductor fabrication sites. Work within a product division focused on inspection and review equipment, collaborating with Marketing and Engineering to enable successful pre-sale and post-sale outcomes.

Characterize systems using designed experiments and data analysis, document findings as application notes and best-known methods, provide customer training, and manage regional escalations.

Experience Level

Mid-level. Typical experience guidance per posting: Bachelor's +5 years, Master's +3 years, PhD +0 years.

Responsibilities

Main duties:

• Support product evaluations and implement solutions for defect detection and process optimization at customer fabs.
• Develop, set up, and optimize tool recipes; own projects from setup through final acceptance.
• Investigate and resolve critical production issues and manage regional customer escalations.
• Conduct product demonstrations and facilitate final acceptance at customer sites.
• Train customers and new application engineers; transfer knowledge to internal Marketing and Engineering teams.
• Perform competitive technology assessments and communicate technological advancements and new applications.
• Characterize next-generation systems and features using design of experiments (DOE), perform data analysis, and document results as application notes and best-known methods.
• Provide comprehensive pre-sale and post-sale technical support; be available for international travel and extended site assignments as required.

Requirements

Key technical and professional requirements.

• Hands-on experience with semiconductor manufacturing processes and defect detection or process optimization.
• Experience designing experiments (DOE) and performing statistical/data analysis.
• Strong customer-facing skills: troubleshooting, training, demonstrations, and escalation management.
• Effective written and verbal communication, leadership, and collaboration skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally up to 25%; availability for extended assignments (4–8 weeks) when required.

Nice-to-have:

• Experience with inspection/review equipment, metrology tools, or familiarity with KLA products or similar systems.
• Experience preparing application notes, best-known methods, and competitive assessments.

Education Requirements

Minimum qualifications specify degree-plus-experience combinations: Doctorate (PhD) with 0 years related experience; Master's degree with 3 years related experience; Bachelor's degree with 5 years related experience. No specific field of study was listed; semiconductor process technology experience is preferred.

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.