Company Overview

The SPTS division of KLA, designs, manufactures and markets wafer processing solutions for the global semiconductor and related industries. SPTS provides industry leading etch and deposition process technologies on a range of single wafer handling platforms. End-market applications include micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), advanced packaging, LED, high speed RF device IC’s and power semiconductors. SPTS is part of KLA Corporation which develops industry-leading equipment and services that enable innovation throughout the electronics industry. We provide advanced process control and process-enabling solutions for manufacturing wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. In close collaboration with leading customers across the globe, our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers design solutions that move the world forward.

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. Central Engineering is KLA's largest engineering organization comprised of 9 Centers-of-Excellence (CoE) in various disciplines applied across all product groups in the company. These CoE include Handling & Automation, Precision Motion Control, Sensors & Image Acquisition, Platform Design, and Packaging Engineering, among others. Talent includes over 500 engineers across global centers in Israel, China, India, and the US. Each CoE contributes not just talent and deliverables per discipline toward product programs, but also subject matter expertise, best practices, roadmaps, specialized facilities, apparatus, models, and analytics. These differentiate KLA not only in WHAT we do, but also in HOW we do it.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

KLA is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Central Engineering team based in Newport,Wales, UK. This role is ideal for someone early in their engineering career who is motivated to learn, grow, and contribute to real‑world, high‑impact engineering work.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary team tackling complex challenges in vacuum system technology across multiple product platforms. With guidance from experienced engineers, you’ll develop hands‑on skills in mechanical design, CAD modelling, testing, and problem‑solving while supporting the development of next‑generation KLA tools.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Support project teams with the design and development of mechanical components and sub‑systems for vacuum platforms

• Create and maintain 3D CAD models and engineering drawings, following established standards and best practices

• Assist with vacuum calculations and basic engineering analyses to help ensure system designs meet requirements

• Take part in design reviews, learning how to incorporate feedback and improve design quality

• Help evaluate new materials and components for use in ultra‑high vacuum (UHV) and ultra‑clean vacuum (UCV) environments

• Support laboratory testing, inspection, and validation activities, including work in cleanroom or controlled environments

• Assist with quality checks of incoming parts from suppliers to confirm they meet specifications

• Contribute to clear, well‑organised engineering documentation

• Collaborate with colleagues across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams in a supportive, inclusive environment

• You’ll receive mentoring, training, and ongoing feedback to help you build confidence and technical capability as your career develops.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline or hold equivalent level of experience.

• Experience with 3D CAD modelling tools (experience with PTC Creo / Pro‑Engineer is a plus, but not required)

• Understanding of engineering drawings and introductory knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T)

• Foundational knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, materials, and manufacturing processes

• Interest in precision engineering, vacuum systems, or high‑technology hardware development

• Willingness to learn analytical methods such as thermal, fluid, or structural analysis with support from senior team members

• Comfortable working in laboratory or cleanroom environments

• Strong attention to detail and good organisational skills

• Ability to work well within a diverse, multi‑disciplinary, and multicultural team.

Desirable Experience

• Internship, placement year, or academic project experience in mechanical design or hardware development

• Exposure to vacuum technology, semiconductor equipment, or clean manufacturing environments

• Familiarity with engineering analysis or simulation tools

Additional Information

• Occasional travel may be required to collaborate with other KLA sites or suppliers (up to 25%)

• We support early‑career development through structured onboarding, mentoring, and learning opportunities

Our Benefits package includes:

Annual leave starting at 25 days (plus bank holidays), contributory pension scheme, global bonus plan, cash health plan, cycle to work scheme, share scheme, rewards scheme, and life assurance.

Minimum Qualifications

We offer a competitive, family friendly total rewards package. We design our programs to reflect our commitment to an inclusive environment, while ensuring we provide benefits that meet the diverse needs of our employees.

KLA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer

Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA’s Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.