Algorithm Engineer

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The RAPID division leads the industry in reticle inspection solutions, helping ensure high lithography yields and cost-effective semiconductor manufacturing. Its systems support both mask shops and fabs by detecting defects early in the process, enabling faster, more reliable production.

What You'll Do In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

Position Description

KLA is seeking a highly motivated Algorithm Engineer to join the Algorithm Group within the Reticle Product Division. In this role, you will develop advanced algorithms and production software for next-generation reticle inspection systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. You will work across algorithm development, image processing, computer vision, and software engineering to solve complex semiconductor inspection challenges. This role requires strong modern C++ expertise and the ability to translate algorithms into robust production software.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize algorithms for pattern classification, defect detection, image processing, optical imaging modeling, and related applications within advanced semiconductor inspection systems.
• Design, implement, test, optimize, and maintain production-quality algorithm software using modern C++.
• Develop and deploy machine learning and deep learning models for image enhancement, image registration, feature extraction, anomaly detection, and related imaging applications.
• Analyze large datasets and resolve complex algorithm, software, and performance issues to improve robustness, accuracy, and throughput.
• Collaborate with hardware, optics, systems, applications, and product engineering teams to optimize inspection performance.
• Support the integration and deployment of algorithms into production systems. Occasional international travel may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar frameworks to develop and deploy CNNs, Vision Transformers, segmentation models, or other deep learning architectures.
• Experience in semiconductor inspection, computational lithography, computational optical imaging, or a related technical domain.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field; or
• MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field with 3+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Strong background in algorithm development, image processing, computer vision, pattern recognition, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong proficiency in modern C++ software development and software engineering principles, including object-oriented design, data structures, algorithms, numerical methods, debugging, testing, and performance optimization.

About KLA We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

Total Rewards 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.

Use of AI Statement At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.

Equal Opportunity Statement 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.

For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.