Product Development Applications Engineer

The SPTS division of KLA, designs, manufactures and markets wafer processing solutions for the global semiconductor and related industries. SPTS provides industry leading etch and deposition process technologies on a range of single wafer handling platforms. End-market applications include micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), advanced packaging, LED, high speed RF device IC’s and power semiconductors. SPTS is part of KLA Corporation which develops industry-leading equipment and services that enable innovation throughout the electronics industry. We provide advanced process control and process-enabling solutions for manufacturing wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. In close collaboration with leading customers across the globe, our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers design solutions that move the world forward.

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 LS-SWIFT Division of KLA’s Global Products Group provides patterned wafer inspection systems for high-volume semiconductor manufacturing. Its mission is to deliver market-leading cost of ownership in defect detection for a broad range of applications in the production of semiconductors. Customers from the foundry, logic, memory, automotive, MEMS, advanced packaging and other markets rely upon high-sample wafer inspection information generated by LS-SWIFT products. LS (Laser Scanning) systems enable cost-effective patterned wafer defect detection for the industry’s most sophisticated process technologies deployed in leading-edge foundry, logic, DRAM, and NAND fabs. SWIFT (Simultaneous Wafer Inspection at Fast Throughput) systems deliver all-wafer-surface (frontside, backside, and edge) macro inspection that is critical for automotive IC, MEMS, and advanced packaging processes as well as foundry/logic and memory fabs. LS-SWIFT operates from a global footprint that includes the US, Singapore, India and Germany, and serves a worldwide customer base across Asia, Europe and North America.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

SPTS wafer processing solutions include market-leading silicon etch, dielectric etch, dry-release etch, PVD, PECVD and molecular vapor deposition (MVD®), available with a range of wafer-handling options applicable to R&D, pilot production, or volume production environments. SPTS is headquartered and has its main manufacturing facility in Newport, UK, with additional manufacturing in Allentown, Pennsylvania. SPTS operates across 19 countries in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, and offers comprehensive service and spare parts support through a worldwide network of service centers and qualified local agents

As an LS-SWIFT Applications Engineer, you’ll work closely with SPTS to maintain and optimize inspection and Process, develop innovative applications, and drive improvements for next-generation products. We are looking for someone curious, proactive, who will drive engagements. This role requires technical expertise, ensuring our tools deliver maximum value for internal development. This role is mostly internal collaboration, with some customer facing work and demos as needed.

This role is based in Newport, UK

Job Duties

• Develop inspection recipes for wafer characterization
• Perform experiments to characterize process tool performance
• Develop and implement applications that solve problems using existing and pre-release products
• Work with engineering teams to resolve hardware/software issues, scope feature requests to improve current products, and collect requirements for future products
• Plan, work and implement solutions in a safe, logical and timely manner
• Coordinate activities with internal teams
• Deliver technical presentations
• International Travel Required up to 25% for training, or other collaboration projects, but should reduce to approximately 10% following onboarding

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in semiconductor device fabrication and/or characterization
• Self driven and highly motivated to achieve business goals from technical side
• A creative and innovative approach to problem solving leading to novel but practical solutions.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships
• Proven technical leadership and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and project management skills
• Ability to present technical content to diverse audiences
• Data analysis tools (Excel, JMP, Minitab, Igor, Origin, ImageJ, etc.)
• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent experience) in a chemistry, physics, or other relevant field

What we will offer you?

Annual leave starting at 25 days (plus bank holidays), share scheme, contributory pension scheme, cash health plan, cycle to work scheme, global bonus plan, rewards scheme, life assurance.

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree; Master's Level Degree and related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience

We offer a competitive, family friendly total rewards package. We design our programs to reflect our commitment to an inclusive environment, while ensuring we provide benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees.

KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer

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