Sr. Precision Machine Design Engineer

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. Central Engineering is KLA's largest engineering organization comprised of 9 Centers-of-Excellence (CoE) in various disciplines applied across all product groups in the company. These CoE include Handling & Automation, Precision Motion Control, Sensors & Image Acquisition, Platform Design, and Packaging Engineering, among others. Talent includes over 500 engineers across global centers in Israel, China, India, and the US. Each CoE contributes not just talent and deliverables per discipline toward product programs, but also subject matter expertise, best practices, roadmaps, specialized facilities, apparatus, models, and analytics. These differentiate KLA not only in WHAT we do, but also in HOW we do it. Job Description/Preferred Qualifications Are you an experienced design engineer with a passion for building ultra-precision machines and motion systems? Do you enjoy taking concepts from architecture through detailed design, analysis, and validation—while solving challenging performance problems along the way? Join our Ann Arbor team, where you will play a key role in developing next-generation semiconductor inspection and metrology platforms. This role blends precision mechanical design, structural modeling, and hands-on system validation to deliver high-speed, high-accuracy mechatronics hardware. What You’ll Do Lead the design and development of ultra-precision mechanical and mechatronic subsystems, from concept through production. Architect structures and mechanisms with a strong focus on stiffness, thermal stability, and dynamic performance. Develop and apply FEA and reduced-order models to predict system behavior and guide design decisions. Drive correlation between models and hardware through experimental validation, including modal testing and vibration measurement. Diagnose and resolve performance issues through a combination of modeling insight and hands-on testing. Collaborate cross-functionally with controls, software, systems, and optics teams to optimize overall system performance. Contribute to system-level design tradeoff analysis, error budgets, and design reviews with a focus on precision, stability, and robustness. Document design rationale, analysis results, and test findings to support global engineering teams. What You Bring Advanced Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field. Strong experience in precision machine or mechanism design for high-performance systems. Deep understanding of structural mechanics, dynamics, and vibration behavior in precision equipment. Proven ability to build, analyze, and validate structural or dynamic models (FEA and/or analytical). Hands-on experience troubleshooting complex mechanical or mechatronic systems. Proficiency in MATLAB or Python for data analysis, modeling, and visualization. Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed. Preferred Qualifications Experience with high-precision motion systems, flexure-based mechanisms, or semiconductor equipment. Familiarity with integrating structural models into system-level or controls-oriented workflows. Demonstrated ability to bridge design, analysis, and experimental validation in a cohesive development process. Strong problem-solving mindset with a bias toward ownership, curiosity, and practical implementation. Minimum Qualifications Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 6 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 8 years Base Pay Range: $120,700.00 - $205,200.00 Annually Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-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 View email address on click.appcast.io or at View phone number on click.appcast.io 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 View email address on click.appcast.io to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information. Now hiring curious minds who want to learn even more. Explore KLA at 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 View email address on click.appcast.io or at View phone number on click.appcast.io to request accommodation. For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website. We do not accept resumes from headhunters, placement agencies, or other suppliers that have not signed a formal agreement with us.