Director - R&D, Advanced Technologies

To make electronics, you need chips, wafers, transistors, reticles, and... To make these, you must see, test and manufacture them at scale—faster and better than ever before. That's where KLA comes in. Whether you're early in your career or an experienced professional, you'll solve complex challenges, work alongside brilliant minds and help shape the future of technology. Group/Division The Semiconductor Products and Customers (Semi PC) business unit designs, builds and sells KLA’s product portfolio to help chip manufacturers meet high-quality standards for technologies like AI, data centers, automotive and electronic devices. Our inspection, metrology, and analytics systems detect and monitor defects across logic and memory chips, specialty semiconductors, wafers, reticles, advanced packaging, process equipment and materials. We also develop technologies for specialty processes, IC substrates, and PCB manufacturing, including etch and deposition, component inspection, and imaging and analytics. The SensArray® division leads in in-situ measurement and process control, helping semiconductor fabs and mask shops optimize yield and efficiency. Its solutions support both R&D and high-volume manufacturing, enabling automated process control (APC) through real-time thermal monitoring and analytics. What You'll Do In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise. Preferred Qualifications Lead KLA SensArray's advanced technology and R&D strategy, driving innovation and development of next-generation semiconductor process characterization solutions. Define and execute the long-term technology roadmap, identifying emerging market opportunities, competitive trends, and breakthrough technologies that accelerate growth and strengthen market leadership. Build and lead world-class engineering teams to deliver N+1 and N+2 product platforms from concept through commercialization while expanding KLA's intellectual property portfolio. Partner with customers, industry leaders, and cross-functional organizations to align technology investments with business objectives and future market needs. Serve as the strategic technology leader responsible for innovation, competitive differentiation, risk management, and successful transition of advanced technologies into scalable products. In this role, you will play a key part in advancing business priorities by delivering high-impact work across your area of expertise. Lead and evolve global electrical engineering standards, specifications, and design guidelines across a diverse facilities portfolio. Review electrical designs for capital projects, infrastructure upgrades, and critical facility improvements to support consistency, quality, and compliance Guide technical strategy for power distribution, UPS, generators, transfer systems, and other critical power infrastructure. Partner with cross-functional teams to improve resiliency, operational readiness, and long-term facility performance. Support renewable energy and electrification initiatives, including solar, battery storage, EV charging, and utility coordination where relevant. Translate technical requirements into clear standards, design guidance, and executive-ready summaries. Key Responsibilities: Define and execute the long-term SensArray technology, innovation strategy & Roadmap Lead advanced research and development programs focused on next-generation semiconductor process characterization including both temperature and wafer handling projects Drive N+1 and N+2 product planning and technology incubation efforts. Identify industry technology inflections, emerging market trends, and disruptive competitive developments to maintain technology leadership. Develop and manage a portfolio of innovation programs from concept through commercialization. Collaborate with Product Management, Applications Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, and key customer stakeholders to align technology investments with business objectives. Build and lead high-performing multidisciplinary engineering & R&D teams to achieve strategic objectives Drive intellectual property development, including invention disclosure, patent strategy, and technology differentiation initiatives Defend and protect KLA Intellectual Property Develop models to simulate and mimic semiconductor process areas in the field of thermal, plasma, mechanical, etc. Support leadership with technology assessments, business cases, and investment recommendations. Ensure effective transition of advanced technology programs into product development and manufacturing organizations. Identify, characterize and manage program related risks Leadership Responsibilities Lead and develop managers, principal engineers, and technical experts. Establish organizational objectives, priorities, budgets, and resource plans. Foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, accountability, and customer focus. Communicate technology strategy to executive leadership, customers, and external stakeholders. Influence cross-functional decision-making and organizational priorities. Preferred Qualifications Ph.D. or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Semiconductor Engineering, or related technical field. 15+ years of experience in semiconductor equipment, metrology, sensors, process control, or related technology industries. 8+ years of leadership experience managing engineering and technical development organizations. Demonstrated track record delivering innovative technology programs from concept through commercialization. Experience developing long-range technology roadmaps and R&D investment strategies. Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes and technology trends. Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills. Experience with sensors, advanced p