Senior Firmware & Software Engineer

KLA · Newport

Company Overview

Filmetrics, a KLA company, is the market leader in 3D optical surface profiling and thin-film thickness measurement systems. Filmetrics products combine innovative hardware solutions with intuitive, easy to use software, tied together with a pioneering online platform. Filmetrics 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.

Job Description/Preferred Qualifications

As a Senior Firmware & Software Engineer on this team, you will design, develop, release, and support the embedded firmware and Windows desktop software that power our families of surface profiler, thin film, sheet resistance and nanoindentation measurement instruments. Working at the intersection of software, firmware, and electronics, you will build everything from low-level, real-time firmware running on instrument hardware to rich C#/.NET desktop applications, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and the latest advancements in software engineering and AI/ML/DL.

Responsibilities:

Deliver well-defined features/components with high-level guidance: estimate work, communicate risks/tradeoffs, and deliver on schedule
Collaborate cross-functionally across the development lifecycle to define architecture and create system- and subsystem-level requirements/specifications
Design, implement, and debug embedded firmware (C/C++) for microcontrollers and real-time control of instrument hardware, including communication interfaces such as USB, Ethernet, serial/UART, SPI, and I2C
Develop Windows desktop software in C#/.NET (WPF/WinForms) and C++ for instrument control, GUI, and data analysis; write maintainable, multithreaded code and use AI-assisted tools responsibly under company security policies
Partner closely with electrical and hardware engineers on board bring-up, signal and schematic debugging, and firmware/hardware co-development using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and in-circuit debuggers
Build robust unit/integration tests and use profiling to improve performance, memory usage, reliability, and security
Participate in design reviews and incorporate feedback from stakeholders and subject matter experts
Troubleshoot system/subsystem issues using logs and experiments; contribute to root-cause analysis, implement fixes with guidance, and help prevent recurrence
Demonstrate motivation to independently learn and apply new software technologies

Travel - Occasional travel may be required to KLA headquarters, customer sites, or other business locations. Travel is expected to be less than 10% of working time.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree (required) + significant relevant experience; Master’s or advanced degree (desired) + relevant experience in Electrical, Computer, Software, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, or Physics. A software engineer with a strong electrical engineering or hardware background is ideal.
A solid understanding and demonstrated track record in the practice of software engineering fundamentals, including architecture, data structures, design patterns, event-driven design, multithreaded and real-time design, testing, and debugging.
Experience with:
- Microsoft .NET and C# for Windows desktop application development (WPF and/or WinForms)
- C and C++ programming, including embedded firmware development
- Embedded systems and microcontroller firmware, including real-time control and hardware communication protocols (USB, serial/UART, SPI, I2C)
- Interfacing software and firmware with electronic hardware, and using lab instruments such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers for debugging
- Microsoft Visual Studio development environment
- Source code control systems such as Git
- Adherence to software design and coding standards
Working knowledge of electronics with the ability to read schematics and component datasheets and collaborate effectively with electrical and hardware engineering teams
Ability to communicate effectively with peers, interdisciplinary engineering groups, customers, and suppliers, including delivering clear technical presentations
Adept at collaborating with teams across the US, Europe, and Asia
Self-driven individual with strong technical ability, a systematic approach, and excellent problem-solving skills

Preferred:

Experience contributing to architecture and design for complex subsystems and influencing technical decisions through strong design and code reviews
Experience improving performance and diagnostics/observability for system-level software
Experience with RTOS, bare-metal firmware, device drivers, and low-level debugging
Familiarity with digital and analog electronics, sensors, motion control, and signal processing
Experience collaborating across teams on system integration and software releases for complex systems
Experience delivering AI/ML capabilities in products
UX skills including wireframing, prototyping, and user flow design

What we will offer you?

KLA’s benefits package includes:

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

Minimum Qualifications

Doctorate (Academic) Degree and related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience

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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