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.
The ICOS Vision Systems division focuses on the backend of the line semiconductor industry providing fully automated tools to inspect and sort, finished integrated circuit packages. For more than 15 years, ICOS has been a market leader with tray-to-tray and tray-to-tape inspection and sorting tools found in the production facilities of all major chipmakers in the world. Our market-leading technology and superior customer service requires strong talent in optics, machine control, algorithms and applications within our engineering teams. The ICOS division headquarters are in Leuven, Belgium with additional engineering and manufacturing operations in Singapore and Shenzhen (China).
Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
Are you an experienced hardware leader who understands every step of developing complex electronic systems—from blanksheet architecture through design, bring-up, manufacturing, and field support? Do you enjoy steering talented engineers, setting direction, and working with internal teams and external partners to deliver exceptional hardware solutions?
We are looking for a Hardware Systems Engineer with a growth mindset to lead the development of high-performance imaging and computer systems used in next-generation semiconductor inspection and metrology tools.
In this role, you will not be expected to do everything yourself—but use your deep, hands-on experience across the full hardware lifecycle so you can effectively guide engineers, challenge partners, and ensure robust, scalable system designs.
What will be your challenges
Complex Hardware Architecture & Development
- Define and lead the design of advanced hardware processing boards with state-of-the-art FPGAs and CPUs for highspeed image acquisition and real-time processing.
- Provide direction, review, and oversight on PCB design, signal integrity, high-speed layout, and board-level debugging.
- Supervise FPGA development (VHDL preferred), ensuring proper integration, validation, and long-term maintainability.
Imaging System Integration
- Interfacing industrial camera technologies such as CoaXPress (CXP), GigE Vision, …
- Architect and integrate rack-mounted computing platforms with PCIe-based processing boards, optimizing system performance, bandwidth, and reliability.
Leadership, Mentoring & Technical Guidance
- Mentor Level II hardware engineers, fostering technical growth, sound decision-making, and professional development.
- Lead cross-functional collaboration with software, mechanical, and vision system teams to build fully integrated imaging solutions.
- Represent the hardware team in roadmap reviews and management updates.
External Partner & Supplier Management
- Select, onboard, and direct external development partners—including defining requirements, monitoring progress, and ensuring high-quality delivery.
- Collaborate with manufacturing partners to guarantee smooth transition from design to production and ensure robust manufacturability.
Quality, Standards & Continuous Improvement
- Ensure compliance with EMC, CE, SEMI and other industry standards.
- Drive continuous improvement in hardware processes, documentation, validation methods, and design guidelines.
- Support root-cause investigations for production or field issues and ensure long-term corrective actions.
What you bring
- Years of hands-on hardware and system development experience, ideally in areas like PC-based architectures for semiconductor, industrial imaging, medical or high-performance instrumentation.
- Expertise in areas of: FPGA-based system design (VHDL preferred) / PCB design, signal integrity, and complex board bring-up / Experience with PCIe architecture and high-speed system integration or camera interface technologies is aplus.
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and guide engineering teams and drive major technical programs.
- Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to maintain both high-level system perspective and deep technical insight.
- Excellent communication skills and fluency in English.
Why This Role Is Exceptional
You’ll shape full end-to-end hardware systems that power some of the most advanced semiconductor inspection tools in the world. You won't carry all tasks yourself, you will lead, guide, align, and orchestrate, supported by talented engineers and trusted development partners. You can make the difference. This role is ideal for someone who has done it all before and now wants to lead others to do it right.
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
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
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