Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs at KLA with Visa Sponsorship
Mechanical Design Engineer jobs at KLA sit at the intersection of precision hardware development and semiconductor equipment innovation. KLA actively sponsors work visas for this function, making it a strong target if you're an international candidate with experience in mechanical systems, CAD design, or equipment engineering.
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KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world’s leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow’s electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.
Group/Division
With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA’s metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The Film and Scatterometry Technology (FaST) Division provides industry leading metrology solutions for worldwide semiconductor IC manufacturers. The FaST Division portfolio of metrology products includes hardware and software solutions for optical film thickness, optical critical dimension (CD), composition, and resistivity measurement systems. These products are essential for the IC manufacturers as they provide critical metrology capabilities for the development and implementation of their advanced IC processes. The FaST division is committed to support our customers to achieve performance entitlement of our solution and we effectively partner with our customers from their early research and development phase to the high volume in-line manufacturing implementation specific for their process needs. The division consists of a global team located in US, Israel, China, and India.
Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineering Manager to lead a team of highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineers responsible for the architecture, design, development, integration, and release of advanced semiconductor inspection and metrology systems. This leader will drive the execution of complex new product development programs, develop engineering talent, establish technical strategies, and ensure the successful delivery of mechanical and opto-mechanical subsystems that meet performance, quality, reliability, schedule, and cost objectives. The successful candidate will combine strong technical depth in precision mechanical systems with proven people leadership, cross-functional influence, and product execution expertise.
Key Responsibilities will include:
Engineering Leadership and Product Development
- Lead the design and development of complex mechanical and opto-mechanical subsystems for semiconductor capital equipment.
- Guide teams through complete product development cycles, including:
+ Requirements definition
+ Concept development
+ Architecture decisions
+ Detailed design
+ Analysis and simulation
+ Prototype development
+ Integration and validation
+ Manufacturing release
- Ensure successful execution of subsystem and system-level design reviews.
- Drive application of Design-for-X (DfX) principles including manufacturability, reliability, serviceability, cost optimization, quality, and performance.
- Partner with Program Managers and Engineering Leaders to execute complex development programs.
- Manage engineering resources, schedules, budgets, priorities, and technical risks.
- Drive timely delivery of program milestones and product releases.
- Support executive reviews with status, risk mitigation plans, and resource requirements.
- Lead cross-functional teams to resolve complex technical issues and achieve program objectives.
- Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and development plans for engineers.
- Build organizational capability through recruiting, coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Drive technical excellence and engineering best practices across the organization.
Technical Oversight
- Provide leadership on:
* Precision mechanical design
* Opto-mechanical systems
* Motion control mechanisms
* Structural design
* Thermal management
* Vibration control
* Contamination control
* Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
* Tolerance analysis
- Review and approve critical design decisions and subsystem architectures.
- Ensure engineering rigor through design reviews, risk assessments, testing plans, and technical analysis.
Qualifications Desired
- Semiconductor inspection, metrology, lithography, wafer processing, or advanced manufacturing experience.
- CAD design tools such as Creo (Pro/E), SolidWorks, or equivalent.
- Familiar with manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding fabrication and castings.
- Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, including design principles, machine elements, materials, and fabrication methods.
- Experience/knowledge in several of these areas: opto-mechanical systems/design, vacuum systems, design of inspection equipment or similar instruments, motion controls, electronics, tooling & test fixture design, FEA and simulation tools, GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis.
- Strong written and verbal communications skills.
- Strong organizational skills, detail oriented.
- Ability to adapt and persevere in the fast-paced semiconductor industry.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 5+ years; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 8+ years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 12+ years.
Base Pay Range: $0.00 - $0.00
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.
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 talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.
Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.
Company Overview
KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world’s leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow’s electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.
Group/Division
With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA’s metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The Film and Scatterometry Technology (FaST) Division provides industry leading metrology solutions for worldwide semiconductor IC manufacturers. The FaST Division portfolio of metrology products includes hardware and software solutions for optical film thickness, optical critical dimension (CD), composition, and resistivity measurement systems. These products are essential for the IC manufacturers as they provide critical metrology capabilities for the development and implementation of their advanced IC processes. The FaST division is committed to support our customers to achieve performance entitlement of our solution and we effectively partner with our customers from their early research and development phase to the high volume in-line manufacturing implementation specific for their process needs. The division consists of a global team located in US, Israel, China, and India.
Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineering Manager to lead a team of highly skilled Mechanical Design Engineers responsible for the architecture, design, development, integration, and release of advanced semiconductor inspection and metrology systems. This leader will drive the execution of complex new product development programs, develop engineering talent, establish technical strategies, and ensure the successful delivery of mechanical and opto-mechanical subsystems that meet performance, quality, reliability, schedule, and cost objectives. The successful candidate will combine strong technical depth in precision mechanical systems with proven people leadership, cross-functional influence, and product execution expertise.
Key Responsibilities will include:
Engineering Leadership and Product Development
- Lead the design and development of complex mechanical and opto-mechanical subsystems for semiconductor capital equipment.
- Guide teams through complete product development cycles, including:
+ Requirements definition
+ Concept development
+ Architecture decisions
+ Detailed design
+ Analysis and simulation
+ Prototype development
+ Integration and validation
+ Manufacturing release
- Ensure successful execution of subsystem and system-level design reviews.
- Drive application of Design-for-X (DfX) principles including manufacturability, reliability, serviceability, cost optimization, quality, and performance.
- Partner with Program Managers and Engineering Leaders to execute complex development programs.
- Manage engineering resources, schedules, budgets, priorities, and technical risks.
- Drive timely delivery of program milestones and product releases.
- Support executive reviews with status, risk mitigation plans, and resource requirements.
- Lead cross-functional teams to resolve complex technical issues and achieve program objectives.
- Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and development plans for engineers.
- Build organizational capability through recruiting, coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
- Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Drive technical excellence and engineering best practices across the organization.
Technical Oversight
- Provide leadership on:
* Precision mechanical design
* Opto-mechanical systems
* Motion control mechanisms
* Structural design
* Thermal management
* Vibration control
* Contamination control
* Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
* Tolerance analysis
- Review and approve critical design decisions and subsystem architectures.
- Ensure engineering rigor through design reviews, risk assessments, testing plans, and technical analysis.
Qualifications Desired
- Semiconductor inspection, metrology, lithography, wafer processing, or advanced manufacturing experience.
- CAD design tools such as Creo (Pro/E), SolidWorks, or equivalent.
- Familiar with manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding fabrication and castings.
- Strong mechanical engineering fundamentals, including design principles, machine elements, materials, and fabrication methods.
- Experience/knowledge in several of these areas: opto-mechanical systems/design, vacuum systems, design of inspection equipment or similar instruments, motion controls, electronics, tooling & test fixture design, FEA and simulation tools, GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis.
- Strong written and verbal communications skills.
- Strong organizational skills, detail oriented.
- Ability to adapt and persevere in the fast-paced semiconductor industry.
Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 5+ years; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 8+ years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 12+ years.
Base Pay Range: $0.00 - $0.00
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.
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 talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.
Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.
See all Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs at KLA
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs at KLA.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs at KLA
Align your CAD portfolio to KLA's toolsets
KLA builds inspection and metrology equipment with exacting mechanical tolerances. Before applying, ensure your portfolio highlights experience with SolidWorks or Pro/E, thermal management design, or precision motion systems, the skill language their job descriptions use.
Target roles tied to active product programs
KLA's Mechanical Design Engineer openings cluster around specific product lines like wafer inspection or process control tools. Filter open roles by division to identify teams actively building headcount, not just backfilling, since those positions move faster through sponsorship approvals.
Browse KLA's open roles through Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters Mechanical Design Engineer openings at companies with a verified sponsorship track record. Use it to surface KLA roles that are actively open and match your visa type before applying directly through KLA's careers portal.
Prepare your F-1 OPT timeline before interviews
If you're on OPT, calculate your remaining authorization window before your first KLA interview. If your end date falls within six months of a potential start date, raise it early so the recruiting team can assess H-1B cap timing or CPT overlap without it becoming a late-stage blocker.
Understand how PERM affects your long-term path
KLA sponsors EB-2 and EB-3 Green Cards, which require DOL's PERM labor certification. For Mechanical Design Engineer roles, that process typically starts after one to two years of employment. Asking about this timeline in the offer stage is reasonable and shows you understand how employer-sponsored immigration works.
Request H-1B premium processing if your start date is tight
USCIS premium processing reduces the H-1B adjudication window to 15 business days. If your OPT expires close to your intended start date at KLA, ask your recruiter whether the company covers premium processing fees, many large manufacturing employers do for critical engineering hires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does KLA sponsor H-1B visas for Mechanical Design Engineers?
Yes, KLA sponsors H-1B visas for Mechanical Design Engineers. The company has a consistent track record of filing H-1B petitions for engineering roles across its hardware and equipment development teams. If you're on OPT transitioning to H-1B, or applying directly from abroad, KLA's recruiting team is experienced with the cap and lottery process.
How do I apply for Mechanical Design Engineer jobs at KLA?
Apply through KLA's careers portal at kla.com. Search for Mechanical Design Engineer roles filtered by location and product division. Tailor your resume to emphasize precision mechanical design, GD&T proficiency, and relevant CAD tools. If you need visa sponsorship, note it clearly in your application. You can also use Migrate Mate to identify open KLA roles matched to your visa type before applying.
Which visa types does KLA commonly sponsor for Mechanical Design Engineers?
KLA sponsors H-1B, TN visa, J-1 visa, and F-1 OPT and CPT for Mechanical Design Engineer roles, along with EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa pathways for longer-term employees. TN visa is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals whose role qualifies as an engineer under USMCA. The right category depends on your nationality, degree, and where you are in the immigration process.
What qualifications does KLA expect for Mechanical Design Engineer roles?
Most KLA Mechanical Design Engineer postings require a bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field. Practical experience with SolidWorks or Pro/ENGINEER, tolerance stack-up analysis, and hardware development in a manufacturing or semiconductor equipment environment carries significant weight. Advanced roles may expect familiarity with thermal or vacuum system design, which is common in KLA's inspection tool product lines.
How do I navigate the visa sponsorship process timeline when joining KLA?
Start tracking your authorization window as soon as you enter the interview process. If you're on F-1 OPT, confirm your remaining days and whether your role qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. KLA's HR and legal teams handle H-1B petitions through USCIS, but the process takes time, so aligning your start date with petition filing windows early avoids last-minute complications.