Lead machine learning 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

Whether you've led teams or projects, passionate about solving complex problems and want to stay close to the tech, this is your opportunity to lead through innovation . Join us in solving one of the most sophisticated challenges in semiconductor manufacturing: detecting nanoscale defects with limited data and system access! You will lead from the front—designing, developing, and deploying ground-breaking AI models that push the boundaries of what's possible.

We’re looking for someone who thrives with solving hard problems, guiding teams through influence, and staying hands-on with the latest in machine learning and MLOps. If you're ready to build the future of AI in manufacturing, we want to hear from you!

Job Duties, but not limited to:

• Drive AI Product Development: Lead the design and implementation of AI solutions that meet real-world business needs.
• Build and Deploy Infrastructure: Help architect scalable systems and bring modern MLOps practices to life at customer sites.
• Prototype Rapidly: Experiment with LLMs and ML applications to uncover new use cases and deliver quick wins.
• Stay Ahead of the Curve: Integrate ground breaking ML/AI research into production-ready tools.
• Lead the Data Pipeline: Select, clean, and prepare datasets to ensure high-quality model training.
• Optimize Performance: Run experiments, analyze results, and fine-tune models for speed and accuracy.
• Collaborate multi-functionally: Work closely with data scientists, engineers, and product managers to deliver impactful solutions.
• Mentor Through Influence: Guide junior team members and develop a culture of learning—without formal management responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• A solid base in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Deep expertise in Python and ML frameworks like PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Keras.
• Hands-on experience with LLMs and their practical applications.
• Sharp analytical skills and a curiosity about solving complex problems.
• The ability to communicate technical ideas clearly to diverse audiences.
• Shown success leading projects or teams—formally or informally.
• A collaborative attitude and the ability to juggle multiple priorities.

Bonus Points:

• Experience deploying ML models on cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP).
• A background in AI/ML product development or similar roles.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelors degree, or 3 years of experience and a Masters Degree

Base Pay Range: $102,200.00 - $173,700.00 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 [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.