Optical Thin Film Engineer/Scientist (f/m/d)

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

The Office of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) plays a critical role in developing advanced long-range technology in collaboration with product divisions and strategic marketing, working on future technology like light sources, lasers, and sensors. We are engaged in the research and development process, and once the technology is mature, we partner with product engineering groups who then build products based on the technology we’ve developed. The Office of the CTO also provides technical input into KLA’s strategic planning process, program reviews and Product Life Cycle (PLC) phases. We provide our broad technology expertise and cross-division experience to ensure we leverage the collective knowledge within our company.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

• Design, develop, and advance high‑performance optical thin‑film coatings for DUV, UV, VIS, and NIR applications used in next‑generation semiconductor inspection systems.
• Act as a technical thought leader and trusted expert within KLA’s global ecosystem of optical coating partners, driving deep, forward‑looking technical discussions from concept through scalable implementation.
• Translate emerging scientific ideas and novel coating concepts into robust, manufacturable solutions with measurable impact on product performance.
• Proactively explore breakthrough materials, processes, and coating technologies, assessing feasibility, supplier capabilities, and long‑term technology risks.
• Lead technical problem‑solving efforts related to optical performance, film stress, adhesion, uniformity, laser durability, and environmental stability.
• Define and execute experimental strategies, including optical and material characterization, to validate designs and guide data‑driven decisions.
• Collaborate closely with optical design, system engineering, and product teams across KLA’s global divisions to align research outcomes with product roadmaps.
• Contribute to the long‑term optical technology strategy within the CTO Optics Development Group, helping to shape the optical foundations of future KLA platforms.
• Mentor and support knowledge growth within the optical development community, strengthening KLA’s internal expertise and innovation culture.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Materials Science, Optics, Physics, or a related field, combined with at least five years of relevant industry experience.
• Proven expertise in the design and development of optical thin‑film coatings across DUV, UV, VIS, and NIR wavelength ranges, including materials, processes, and substrates.
• Strong proficiency with thin‑film design and simulation tools such as Macleod, TFCalc, FilmStar, OptiLayer, or comparable software.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with optical and materials characterization techniques and with a variety of thin‑film coating systems and deposition technologies.
• Solid background in experimental design, data interpretation, and statistical analysis to support evidence‑based technical decisions.
• In‑depth knowledge of thin‑film metrology and analysis methods, including spectroscopy, ellipsometry, SEM/TEM, AFM, EDS, XRD, and defect analysis.
• Familiarity with laser systems, laser damage thresholds, and degradation mechanisms in DUV environments.
• Practical understanding of optics cleaning, surface preparation, and contamination control.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex coating challenges related to stress, adhesion, uniformity, and performance stability.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross‑functional and international teams.
• High level of commitment to continuous learning and to advancing optical expertise within a highly skilled development group.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.

Your contact person

Anne-Kathrin Wüstendörfer

+49 (0) 6471 910 994

KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer

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