Algorithm Engineer (C++, Image Processing, HPC)

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 RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Position Description

KLA is seeking a talented Algorithm Engineer to join the Algorithm Group within the Reticle Product Division. This role focuses on the design, development, and deployment of advanced algorithms and software solutions for KLA's innovative inspection platforms. The successful candidate will leverage expertise in algorithm development, applied mathematics, high-performance computing, and software engineering to solve challenging technical problems and deliver robust production solutions.

The role requires strong software development skills with an emphasis on modern C++, GPU computing, and scalable algorithm implementation. The candidate will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop technologies that improve system performance, productivity, and customer value.

Key Responsibilities

Algorithm Development

• Design, develop, and optimize algorithms for pattern analysis, defect detection, classification, data processing, and other computational challenges in semiconductor inspection systems.
• Translate complex technical requirements into mathematical models and scalable algorithmic solutions.
• Analyze large-scale datasets and optimize algorithm performance for accuracy, robustness, and throughput.
• Evaluate and apply machine learning or deep learning techniques, when appropriate, to address specific inspection and classification challenges.

Innovation and Execution

• Drive innovation by proposing novel approaches and delivering production-quality, maintainable software solutions.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and incorporate them into product solutions where they provide measurable value.
• Collaborate with field teams and customers to support algorithm deployment and system integration, including occasional international travel.

Software Engineering

• Develop robust, scalable software using modern C++ and object-oriented design principles.
• Design and implement high-performance computing solutions using CUDA C++ and GPU-accelerated algorithms.
• Optimize software performance through parallel computing, efficient memory management, and algorithmic improvements.
• Develop prototypes, analysis tools, and validation workflows using appropriate software tools and programming languages.
• Contribute to long-term code quality through architecture design, code reviews, testing, refactoring, and documentation.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with hardware, optics, systems engineering, and applications teams to optimize overall system performance.
• Analyze technical trade-offs and contribute to system-level performance improvements.
• Operate independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CUDA C++, GPU programming, parallel computing, or high-performance computing architectures.
• Experience developing high-performance software for semiconductor manufacturing, inspection, metrology, computational lithography, simulation, or related technical domains.
• Familiarity with machine learning and deep learning techniques for data analysis, imaging, or classification applications.
• Experience with Python and scientific computing tools.
• Understanding of optical systems and computational imaging.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field with 3+ years of relevant experience; or
• MS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field with 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong background in algorithm development, applied mathematics, numerical methods, image processing, computer vision, or related technical disciplines.
• Strong proficiency in modern C++ software development.
• Experience developing and optimizing complex software systems in production environments.
• Experience with performance-oriented software development on CPU and/or GPU architectures.
• Strong analytical, debugging, and problem-solving skills.

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.

               

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.

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 [email protected] to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.