Customer Engagement Applications Engineer (SPTS)

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

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.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with customers, Service Engineers, Sales, Product Marketing, and Divisional Applications teams to deliver exceptional process performance, accelerate production ramp-up, resolve complex technical challenges, and strengthen customer satisfaction. The role is instrumental in supporting strategic business growth and enabling customers to achieve their technology and manufacturing objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Process Startup & Qualification Support of New Installation

• Lead and execute Tier-2 process startup activities for new system installations and technology transfers.
• Develop, qualify, and optimize customer process recipes to achieve production readiness and performance targets.
• Support system acceptance testing, process qualification, and customer buy-off milestones.
• Partner with Installation and Field Service teams to ensure a seamless transition from tool installation to volume manufacturing.
• Provide technical guidance during factory ramp-up and production stabilization activities.

Customer Technical Support

• Deliver advanced process troubleshooting and technical support for customer engineering and manufacturing operations.
• Conduct structured root-cause investigations and drive effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Own and support high-priority customer escalations, ensuring timely issue resolution and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with global Engineering, Product Development, and Division Applications teams to address complex process and system challenges.
• Act as the trusted technical advisor for customers and internal stakeholders.

Process Development

• Perform process characterization, optimization, and performance benchmarking to enhance customer productivity and yield.
• Develop and implement innovative process solutions aligned with customer technology roadmaps and manufacturing requirements.
• Drive process capability improvements create competitive advantages for both customers and SPTS solutions.
• Generate technical documentation, application notes, and best-practice guidelines to support global deployment.

Knowledge Management

• Capture and document test results, lessons learned, Best Known Methods (BKMs), and field best practices.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer between field organizations and product divisions.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior Applications Engineers and cross-functional teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that enhance organizational capability and operational efficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or Semiconductor-related related technical discipline.
• Strong hands-on experience with semiconductor manufacturing processes, preferably in PVD, PECVD, Etch, or related thin-film technologies.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex process and equipment issues in a customer-facing environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence technical and business stakeholders.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and customer commitments.
• Willingness to travel and support customer sites as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Level Degree and 1 years related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 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

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