Diagnostics Software Engineer (AI/ML)

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

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.

We are seeking a hands-on, curious Software Engineer to join our Diagnostics & Calibration software team in Milpitas, CA. In this role you will design, develop, and deliver software that diagnoses and calibrates KLA's reticle inspection platforms. You will partner closely with physicists, hardware engineers, system teams, and global software organizations to translate complex system-level requirements into robust, scalable diagnostic and calibration solutions.

We are especially looking for an engineer energized by the current wave of AI - someone who actively explores modern AI/ML and generative-AI tooling and loves turning it into working applications. Beyond core systems development, you'll have real room to prototype and build AI-assisted tools that make diagnostics, calibration, and engineering workflows faster, smarter, and more reliable. If you're the kind of developer who spins up a proof-of-concept over a weekend, benchmarks a new model or framework because you're curious, and enjoys shipping tools people actually use, this role is for you.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain LabVIEW-based and multi-language software for diagnosing and calibrating KLA's reticle inspection platforms.

• Learn the existing diagnostics and calibration software architecture and contribute clean, maintainable, well-tested code to meet program goals.

• Translate system-level and user requirements into software designs, implementations, and test plans.

• Explore and apply AI/ML and generative-AI techniques - LLMs, agents, copilots, and automation - to build applications and internal tools that improve diagnostics, calibration, developer productivity, and data analysis.

• Rapidly prototype AI-driven proofs-of-concept, evaluate feasibility and impact, and mature promising ideas into production-ready tools.

• Improve software reliability, maintainability, performance, and scalability through sound design and refactoring.

• Build, maintain, and improve CI/CD pipelines and workflows to support reliable, automated build, test, and release of diagnostics & calibration software.

• Participate actively in design reviews, code reviews, and development best practices.

• Partner cross-functionally with hardware, subsystem, system, manufacturing, and service teams to deliver integrated solutions.

• Support root-cause analysis of complex system-level issues and drive effective, sustainable solutions.

• Travel occasionally to global sites and customer locations to support integration, bring-up, and deployment activities (up to ~10%).

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Physical Science, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Optics, Microscopy, or a related field.

• 4+ years of software development experience (or 2+ years with a Master's) building medium to large-scale applications in multi-developer environments.

• Proficiency with object-oriented design and experience with one or more additional languages such as Python, C++, or C#.

• Genuine enthusiasm for exploring AI/ML and generative-AI tools, with a demonstrated drive to build working applications with them; hands-on experience building applications with LLMs / generative AI - fine tuning, RAG, or agentic frameworks, or integrating AI APIs/copilots into engineering workflows - personal projects, prototypes, hackathons, or on-the-job tooling all count.

• Familiarity with CI/CD tools and practices (e.g., Git, Jenkins, GitLab CI, or Azure DevOps), including building and maintaining automated build, test, and release workflows.

• Strong background in software involving hardware-software interaction and system-level behavior.

• Demonstrated ability to translate user needs and system requirements into technical specifications and executable plans.

• Strong problem-solving skills with experience diagnosing and resolving complex issues.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills in globally distributed teams.

• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

Preferred (not required)

• Experience in diagnostics, calibration, machine control, inspection, or metrology systems.

• Experience working in semiconductor capital equipment or similar complex hardware platforms.

• Familiarity with computer vision, image processing, or image analysis techniques.

• Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD) or equivalent experience.

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

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 attalent.acquisition@kla.com 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.