Optical Systems Student Engineer

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology.

Group/Division

The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The Film and Scatterometry Technology (FaST) division delivers industry-leading metrology solutions essential to advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Its portfolio includes systems for measuring film thickness, critical dimensions, composition, and resistivity—key to developing and scaling next-gen IC processes. FaST partners closely with customers from early R&D through high-volume production, ensuring performance and process alignment.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise.

FaST (Films and Scatterometry Technologies) Advanced Development Group – develops the next generation cutting-edge metrology products and defines the technology roadmaps. The group is responsible for product definition, architecture analysis, modeling, simulations, experimental feasibility prototype systems development and characterization for front end of line semiconductor process critical dimensions and thin film stack metrology.

 

We are looking for a talented and creative Graduate Physics student for Research and Development of a novel FaST optical metrology technologies.

 

Responsibilities

 

In this role you will support the development of novel metrology optical systems lead by research scientists and engineers in the team. Your responsibilities will include theoretical study, modeling and data processing as part of architecture and concepts analysis and selection, specific concepts lab setups design and creation, execution of test plans for feasibility and qualification of studied ideas.

 

Required Skills

• Solid theoretical knowledge in Physical Optics, optical systems, lasers, plasma sources, detectors, and image sensors
• Deep technical understanding in HW technologies and Systems Engineering
• Hands-on experience in design, specification, and development of complex electro-optical setups
• Analytical skills, able to develop a system model and perform system error budget analysis
• Data collection and analysis using MATLAB/Python/LabVIEW
• Organized, being able to execute work plans and test plans
• Knowledge of semiconductor process and process control is an advantage
• Experience with X-ray, DUV, VIS-IR metrology systems is a strong advantage

Minimum Qualifications

 

Physics or Optical Engineering M.Sc./ Ph.D. students

 

 

Job Title: Optical Systems Student Engineer (Internship)

Location: Milpitas, CA
Team: FaST (Films and Scatterometry Technologies) – Advanced Development Group

About the Team

The FaST Advanced Development Group is dedicated to pioneering next-generation metrology solutions for semiconductor manufacturing. We focus on defining technological roadmaps, developing prototype systems, and exploring innovative optical metrology concepts for critical dimensions and thin film stack measurements in front-end semiconductor processes.

Internship Overview

We’re looking for a motivated and creative graduate student in Physics or Optical Engineering to join our R&D team as an intern. This is a hands-on opportunity to contribute to the development of novel optical metrology technologies alongside experienced scientists and engineers.

What You’ll Do

As an Optical Systems Student Engineer, you will:

• Support the design and development of advanced optical metrology systems.
• Conduct theoretical studies, modeling, and data analysis to evaluate new system architectures.
• Assist in designing and building lab setups to test feasibility and performance of new concepts.
• Execute structured test plans and analyze experimental results.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to refine system designs and improve measurement capabilities.

What We’re Looking For

Required Skills:

• Strong foundation in physical optics, optical systems, lasers, detectors, and image sensors.
• Technical understanding of hardware technologies and systems engineering.
• Hands-on experience in designing and building complex electro-optical setups.
• Ability to model systems and perform error budget analysis.
• Proficiency in data analysis using MATLAB, Python, or LabVIEW.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow detailed work plans and test procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with semiconductor processes and process control.
• Experience working with X-ray, DUV, and VIS-IR metrology systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an M.Sc. or Ph.D. program in Physics or Optical Engineering.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires less than 1 year of related experience

About KLA

We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.

Total Rewards

Base Pay Range: $0.00 - $0.00 
Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-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.

Use of AI Statement 

At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual qualifications and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.

For additional information, view the US Know Your Rights poster on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.