principal software engineering Principal Engineer tech_leadership Bachelor's · Posted Mar 18, 2026
AI Summary
Principal Engineer driving customer adoption of semiconductor manufacturing tools through technical support, recipe development, and best practices. Requires advanced optics/physics knowledge, IC process experience, and native-level Japanese (N1+) with business English. Manages complex projects across multiple stakeholders while solving customer-specific challenges.

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.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

Technical Support: Driving acceptance of new tools at customer sites. Create recipes for regular production support. Develop Best Known Methods for customer use cases, driving product adoption and differentiate vs. competition. Train operators & engineers on the equipment. Analyze tool performance and work in team with Service and Tech Support organization on problem solving. Work on complex problems and develop unique solutions to meet customers’ requirements. 


Project management: Identify and manage priorities and milestones. Develop clear project schedule and track progress. Work in synergy with defectivity and metrology Applications Eng., Business Unit management and Division. Develop value proposition and effective project summaries for Executive meetings. 


Communication: Establish regular communication with the customer. Present and highlight the system values for customer use cases and differentiate vs. competition. Communicate results and issues with the Division. Execute plan of actions and collect data. 


Pre - sale support: Assist sales and marketing in potential opportunities and/or competitive situation. Helping with brainstorming strategy for penetration of new customers and adoption. 

Essential Technical Skills: 

• Knowledge of Advanced Optics technology, Physics, Material Science 
• IC Process background: previous customer/industry experience is a plus 
• Solid understanding of semiconductor process technologies. 
• Excellent presentation and communication skills 
• Project management experience - Ability to handle multiple projects in parallel 
• Have creative thinking approach to deal with new customer challenges 
• Excellent problem-solving skills 

・Naitive level Japanese skill (N1 above)

・Business level English skill

Important Skills: 
• Be a driver, influence situations by facts. 
• Successful with multiple cultures environment 
• Successful execution of projects in highly pressurized environment 

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work oexperience of 5 years

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

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 talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.

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