Chemist

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 ECI Division at KLA delivers chemical metrology and process control solutions that enable precise monitoring and control of critical wet process steps in semiconductor and advanced packaging manufacturing. By providing real time chemical analysis and management systems, ECI helps customers prevent yield limiting defects, stabilize complex metallization and cleaning processes and support next generation device and packaging technologies.

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.

KLA is seeking a Chemist to contribute to the development and characterization of advanced materials and processes for semiconductor manufacturing! This role involves laboratory-based research, experimental design, and data analysis to support the performance and reliability of KLA's cutting-edge inspection and metrology tools.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the development of innovative chemical analyzers for semiconductor process-fluid monitoring and analysis.
- Develop and validate analytical methods for new and existing analyzer platforms.
- Drive technology and method innovation to enhance the performance, capabilities, and differentiation of ECI products.
- Translate semiconductor process and customer requirements into practical, high-value analytical solutions.
- Collaborate across R&D, engineering, applications, and customer support to bring new analytical technologies from concept through implementation.
- Support continuous improvement of analytical technologies to address evolving semiconductor manufacturing requirements and customer applications

Preferred Qualifications

- PhD in chemistry
- Proven experience in leading complex R&D projects,
- Strong problem-solving and experimental design skills, with a track record of innovation and precision.
- Advanced proficiency in general and analytical chemistry
- Hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead method validation efforts.
- Understanding of semiconductor wet process chemistry.
- Familiarity with quantitative analytical method development
- Experience with chemometric modeling and quantitative analysis.
- Familiarity with spectroscopic techniques: NIR, UV-VIS, ICP, Raman.
- Familiarity with chromatographic methods: GC, HPLC, IC
- Familiarity with electrochemistry and surface analysis techniques
- Competence in data analytics and scientific programming (MATLAB, Python)

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years

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: $106,000.00 - $180,200.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-NJ-Totowa-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  [email protected] 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.