Algo Engineer, Deep Learning

Base Pay Range: $124,100.00 - $211,000.00 Annually

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 identified below. Interns are eligible for some of the benefits identified below. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed above reflects the minimum and maximum pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

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

With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA's metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The Broadband Plasma Division (BBP) provides market-leading patterned wafer optical inspection systems for leading-edge IC manufacturing. Logic, foundry, and memory customers depend on BBP products to detect yield-critical defects for process debug and excursion monitoring at advanced process nodes. BBP flagship products include the 29xx and 39xx series which leverage Broadband Plasma technology to capture a wide range of defects with ultimate sensitivity at the optical inspection speeds needed for inline defect monitoring.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

We are looking for a full-time algorithm Research Scientist who is passionate on pioneering Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Foundation Models for image processing and computer vision applications in semiconductor process control business. The qualified candidates are expected to have strong background and in-depth experience in deep learning especially for Large Language Model or Vision Foundation Model. The qualified candidates are also expected to have deep understanding on the theory and/or practice of deep learning in an applied field (like computer vision, NLP or any industrial field). The candidates are expected to be able to work independently on a research task, and be able to conceptualize, explore and identify solutions for unseen problems. The responsibilities for this position include, but not limited to,

• Work and communicate through a collaborative manner with peers.
• Understand and derive the algorithms (Deep Learning/LLM/Computer Vision) from state-of-the-art (SOTA) publications and/or conferences.
• Implement SOTA Deep Learning/LLM models.
• Understand prompt method (to LLM) and form prompt solutions.
• Understand the training techniques in DL and LLM and apply them to model development.
• Design and improve DL models for a specific feature request.
• Design new Deep Learning modules.
• Optimize and Fine-tuning DL or LLM Models.
• Evaluate and validate the performance of DL or LLM Models.
• Perform A/B Test between models/Applications.
• Tackle physical or optical problems via ML or Deep Learning. (This is a plus.)
• Perform professional technical presentation on ideas, concepts, results to peers and customers.

Qualifications/Education Desired

• PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related Quantitative Fields.
• Academic or industrial experience on applying Deep Learning or LLMs on real world problem(s), with impactful results.
• In-depth experience on at least one of the areas including Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, LLMs, Vision Foundation Model.
• In-depth experience on at least one of the fields including Computer Vision, Image Processing, Video Processing, Robotics, NLP or equivalent.
• Proficiency in Python.
• Proficiency in at least one additional programming language - from the list of C++, JAVA, Rust, Go, Swift, Kotlin or JavaScript.
• Proficiency in at least one Deep Learning framework - e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, MXNet, Apple MLX or equivalent.
• Demonstrations of Deep Learning experience via technical publications in top conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, CVPR, IMCL, ICLR, etc.) or Industrial Patents or impactful Open-Source Project are REQUIRED.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years.
• Academic or industrial experience on applying Deep Learning or LLMs on real world problem(s), with impactful results.
• Demonstrations of Deep Learning experience via technical publications in top conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, CVPR, IMCL, ICLR, etc.) or Industrial Patents or impactful Open-Source Project are REQUIRED.

The company offers a total rewards package that is competitive and comprehensive including but not limited to the following: 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.

KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other status protected by applicable law. 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] to request accommodation.