System Design Engineer

Job Title

System Design Engineer

Role Summary

Design and deliver multi-disciplinary inspection systems for semiconductor manufacturing, focusing on system-level requirements, integration, testing, and field support. Work with cross-functional teams (optical, mechanical, electrical, controls, software) from prototype through production.

Role includes hands-on hardware work, technical leadership, and coordination with manufacturing, NPI, marketing, and service teams.

Experience Level

Mid-level (Mid-Career). See Education Requirements for degree-based experience expectations.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities cover system design, integration, performance validation, and cross-functional execution.

• Define system-level requirements, subsystem interfaces, and technical tradeoffs across optics, mechanical, electrical, controls, and software domains.
• Design and develop multi-disciplinary systems and features; lead system and subsystem integration, testing, and characterization.
• Plan and execute system performance testing; perform troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions from prototype through production and field escalations.
• Hands-on development and validation in lab and hardware environments.
• Support manufacturing and field service teams on optics- and system-related escalations; deliver training to Manufacturing and NPI engineers.
• Coordinate project activities, align stakeholders, and provide regular status updates and presentations to management and customers.
• Mentor junior engineers; contribute to requirements traceability, technical reviews, and roadmap planning.
• Drive programs and projects with engineering rigor; assess risks and remove obstacles to maintain critical-path progress.
• Communicate cross-functionally to resolve technical conflicts and set priorities in line with program objectives.

Requirements

Must-have skills and attributes to perform the role effectively. Technical degree requirements are listed under Education Requirements.

• Proven systems engineering experience across optics, mechanical, electrical, controls, and software domains.
• Experience with system integration, test, characterization, and reliability validation.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills for prototype, production, and field issues.
• Hands-on hardware lab experience and familiarity with manufacturing and NPI environments.
• Ability to lead technical programs, coordinate stakeholders, and deliver on schedule with clear reporting.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to present to internal leadership and external customers.
• Mentoring experience and ability to train manufacturing/NPI engineers.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and deliver results within defined timelines.
• Willingness to travel occasionally (up to 20%).

Nice-to-have:

• Experience in semiconductor inspection, metrology, or high-throughput wafer inspection systems.
• Familiarity with product roadmap planning and technical review processes in semiconductor equipment companies.

Education Requirements

Minimum qualifications (degree-based): Doctorate (PhD) with 0 years related experience; Master's degree with 3 years related experience; Bachelor's degree with 5 years related experience. Relevant fields mentioned include optics, electrical, mechanical, controls, software, or related engineering disciplines. Equivalent-experience language was not specified.

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.