KLA
Senior Firmware & Software Engineer
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Senior Firmware & Software Engineer – 3D Optical Surface Profiling & Thin-Film Measurement Systems
(KLA Corporation – Filmetrics Team)
Company Overview
Filmetrics, a KLA company, is the market leader in 3D optical surface profiling and thin-film thickness measurement systems. Our products combine:
- Innovative hardware solutions
- Intuitive, user-friendly software
- A pioneering online platform
KLA Corporation develops industry-leading equipment and services that enable innovation across:
- Wafer and reticle manufacturing
- Integrated circuit (IC) production
- Packaging, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and flat panel displays
Our global teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists, and problem-solvers work collaboratively with leading customers to design solutions that move the world forward.
Job Description
As a Senior Firmware & Software Engineer, you’ll architect, develop, and support embedded firmware and Windows desktop software for Filmetrics’ instruments:
- Surface profilers
- Thin-film measurement systems
- Sheet resistance and nanoindentation analyzers
This role bridges software, firmware, and electronics, requiring expertise in:
- Embedded real-time systems (C/C++)
- Rich Windows applications (C#/.NET, WPF/WinForms)
- Cutting-edge software engineering, including AI/ML-DL applications
- Cross-functional collaboration with hardware, data science, and QA teams
Responsibilities
Core Technical Deliverables
-
Design & Development:
- Build low-level, real-time firmware for instrument hardware (microcontrollers).
- Develop high-level Windows desktop applications with intuitive UIs and advanced data analysis.
- Implement multithreaded, observable, and secure codebases using modern best practices.
-
Embedded & Firmware Work:
- Write firmware for USB, Ethernet, serial/UART, SPI, and I2C communication.
- Optimize performance, memory usage, reliability, and real-time responsiveness.
- Partner with hardware engineers on board bring-up, schematic debugging, and firmware-hardware co-development.
- Debug using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and in-circuit debuggers.
-
Desktop Software Development:
- Develop .NET/ C# applications for instrument control, GUIs, and data visualization.
- Integrate AI-assisted tools responsibly under company security policies.
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-
Testing & Quality Assurance:
- Design and execute unit and integration tests.
- Profile and optimize performance, crash robustness, and security vulnerabilities.
-
System-wide Collaboration:
- Participate in design reviews, incorporating feedback from stakeholders.
- Troubleshoot system/subsystem issues via logs and experiments.
- Contribute to root-cause analysis, implement fixes, and prevent recurrence.
-
Innovation & Learning:
- Stay ahead of industry advancements in software engineering, embedded systems, and AI/ML.
- Demonstrate self-driven learning of new technologies.
Additional Expectations
- Occasional Travel: Up to 10% of working time for:
- KLA headquarters visits
- Customer site engagements
- Business meetings
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (required) in:
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Physics
- Or equivalent significant relevant experience
- Master’s or advanced degree (preferred) in one of the above fields
- Proven expertise in software engineering fundamentals:
- Architecture and design patterns
- Data structures
- Event-driven and multithreaded design
- Testing, debugging, and profiling
Technical Skills
- Firmware & Embedded Systems:
- C/C++ for embedded development (bare-metal, RTOS)
- Microcontroller-based real-time control
- Communication protocols: USB, serial/UART, SPI, I2C
- Windows App Development:
- C#/.NET, WPF, and WinForms
- WPF user interface design (XAML)
- Tooling & Environments:
- Microsoft Visual Studio
- Git or equivalent source control
- Profiling and debugging tools (e.g., static analyzers, memory inspectors)
- Hardware Interaction:
- Ability to read schematics and component datasheets
- Debugging with oscilloscopes, logic analyzers
- Collaboration with electrical/hardware engineering teams
Soft Skills & Collaboration
- Cross-functional communication: Work effectively with:
- Interdisciplinary engineering groups
- Customers and suppliers
- Global teams (US, Europe, Asia)
- Technical presentation skills: Explain complex concepts clearly.
- Problem-solving mindset: Systematic approach to challenges.
- UX awareness (preferred):
- Wireframing, prototyping, and user flow design
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Preferred (Nice-to-Have)
- Experience influencing technical decisions:
- Contribute to architecture and design for complex subsystems.
- Conduct deep design and code reviews.
- RTOS and bare-metal firmware expertise.
- Device driver development for embedded systems.
- Low-level debugging (e.g., assembly languages, register-level inspections).
- AI/ML in product development:
- Implementing predictive models for instrument performance.
- Signal processing for sensors/motion control.
- System integration teams:
- Experienced in releasing cross-team products.
What We Offer
KLA provides a competitive, family-friendly benefits package, including: ✔ Annual Leave: 25 days (plus bank holidays) ✔ Pension Scheme: Contributory plan ✔ Health Care: cash health plan ✔ Cycle-to-Work Scheme: Support for sustainable commuting ✔ Global Performance Bonuses & Share Schemes ✔ Life Assurance Protections ✔ Rewards & Recognition Programs
Diversity & Inclusion
KLA is committed to an inclusive environment that caters to the diverse needs of its employees. We believe:
- Equal opportunity for all.
- Reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
- Work-life balance as a core value.
Legal & Safety Notes
⚠ Fraud Alert: KLA never requests financial compensation (e.g., for interview equipment, relocation, or equipment). Employees or recruiters claiming otherwise are not legitimate.
📧 Verification: If concerned about a posting, contact: talent.acquisition@kla.com
🚀 Privacy: Your information is handled confidentially.
Explore KLA Careers
Interested in joining a team that pushes the boundaries of innovation? Visit KLA Careers to learn more.
KLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer – We are committed to:
- Accessibility: Accommodations available for interviews.
- Legal Compliance: aa EEO Poster on EEOC.gov
📞 Contact for Accommodations: +1-408-352-2808 | talent.acquisition@kla.com
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