Senior Control Systems Engineer – Precision Motion & Custom Actuators

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 worlds leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrows 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 KLAs Global Products Group (GPG) which is responsible for creating all of KLAs 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 KLAs 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

The Opportunity

This role is built for an experienced control systems engineer who wantsdeep technical ownership and systemlevel influence on ultrahighperformance motion platforms. At KLA you will define and drive control architectures for nextgeneration semiconductor inspection and metrology systemsworking on real hardware custom actuators and performance limits where theory meets physics. You will own control strategy decisions from early concept through integration validation and production! Youll work alongside senior engineers across actuator design mechanics software and optics influencing how the system is architectednot just how it is controlled.

Job Duties:

• Control architecture ownershipfor ultraprecision motion and positioning subsystems.
• Design and implementation of sophisticated feedback and feed-forward control strategies for custom actuators including magnetic piezoelectric and airbearing systems.
• Modelbased analysis of system dynamics including plant characterization system identification and performance tradeoff studies.
• Tuning and optimization of multiaxis motion systems to achieve ambitious requirements in accuracy stability efficiency and adaptability.
• Technical leadership in multi-functional integration partnering closely with mechanical actuator electronics software optics and system teams.
• Contribution to requirements definition error budgets and design reviews with control performance as a firstorder system driver.
• Handson experimental work including hardwareintheloop testing realtime implementation and rootcause analysis of sophisticated system behavior.
• Documentation and communication of control strategies assumptions and results across global engineering teams.
• Informal mentorship and technical guidance for lessexperienced controls engineers.

Qualifications but not limited to:

• Educational background in Mechanical Engineering Mechatronics Engineering Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Significant experience developing and deploying control systems for highperformance electromechanical or motion platforms.
• Deep understanding of control theory system dynamics and modeling as applied to real imperfect hardware.
• Handson experience withcustom actuators or precision motion systems not just the off-the-shelf components.
• Proficiency with MATLAB/Simulink and/or Python for modeling simulation tuning and data analysis.
• Exposure to sophisticated control techniques (robust adaptive efficient nonlinear or multivariable systems).
• Familiarity with realtime control environments experimental validation and performance solving.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity making architectural tradeoffs and balancing theoretical with practical constraints.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Preferred Background (Nice to Have)

• Experience withultraprecision motion systems machine dynamics or semiconductor capital equipment.
• Track record of influencing system design through control and dynamics insight.

Why Join This Team

• Technical ownership with visible impact on flagship systems
• Opportunity to stay handson while influencing architecture and direction
• Collaboration with experienced engineers across multiple teams
• Longterm stable product cycles combined with ambitious firstprinciples engineering problems

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Masters Level Degree and related work experience of 6 years; Bachelors Level Degree and related work experience of 8 years

Base Pay Range: $120700.00 - $205200.00 Annually

Primary Location: USA-MI-Ann Arbor-KLA

KLAs 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 or at 1- 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 KLAs 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 to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.