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.
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 Senior Manager, Product Regulatory Affairs to join our team based in Newport, Wales.
The Senior Manager, Product Regulatory Affairs is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping and executing KLA’s global product compliance and regulatory strategy for semiconductor capital equipment (including inspection, metrology, process control hardware, lasers/optics, electronics, and embedded software).
This role translates complex, fast-evolving regulations (product safety, environmental compliance, chemicals management, and sustainability-related requirements) into clear, actionable plans that protect KLA’s ability to design, manufacture, ship, install, and service products worldwide.
The position serves as a trusted advisor to executive leaders and cross-functional teams, and represents KLA with regulators, industry associations, customers, NGOs, and standards-setting organizations to advocate for science-based, innovation-enabling policy and standards.
Key responsibilities
Regulatory Strategy & Foresight
- Monitor, analyze, and interpret emerging and changing global regulations that impact KLA products and operations (e.g., EU RoHS/REACH, WEEE, TSCA, PFAS-related restrictions, China RoHS, UKCA/CE, California Proposition 65, conflict minerals, battery/packaging requirements where applicable).
- Anticipate regulatory trends and assess impacts to product architecture (materials, components, coatings, lasers/optics, electronics), supplier sourcing, manufacturing, labeling, documentation, import/export, installation, and field service.
- Define multi-year regulatory roadmaps aligned with KLA’s technology and product roadmaps; drive design-for-compliance decisions early in the development lifecycle (NPI) to reduce downstream cost, schedule risk, and shipment holds.
- Establish metrics and reporting for regulatory risk, compliance status, and mitigation plans across product lines and geographies.
Executive Advisory & Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on regulatory risk, business continuity, and customer impact; provide clear options, trade-offs, and recommendations.
- Develop executive-level briefings, and decision memos on topics such as restricted substances, product safety certifications, sustainability disclosures affecting products, and enforcement trends.
- Drive alignment across Engineering, Quality, Legal, EHS, Supply Chain, Operations, and Sustainability to ensure consistent interpretation and execution of requirements across global sites.
External Representation & Advocacy
- Represent KLA with regulators, industry coalitions, trade associations, customers, NGOs, and standards bodies on product compliance topics relevant to semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
- Advocate for science-based, risk-informed, and innovation-supportive regulation; draft and coordinate KLA input to consultations, proposed rules, and enforcement guidance.
- Build and maintain external relationships to improve visibility into upcoming changes, influence outcomes where appropriate, and protect KLA’s license to operate in key markets.
- Support customer engagements and audits by explaining KLA’s compliance approach, substantiating declarations, and resolving issues that could affect tool acceptance or installation.
Standards & Industry Leadership
- Lead KLA participation in relevant standards organizations (e.g., SEMI, IEC, ISO, UL) and working groups impacting semiconductor equipment, electrical safety, EMC, laser safety, environmental compliance, and material declarations.
- Provide technical and policy input to global standards development; coordinate internal subject-matter experts to ensure KLA positions are accurate, consistent, and aligned with business priorities.
- Translate evolving standards into internal requirements for design, documentation, labeling, testing, and supplier controls; ensure readiness for certification and market access.
Regulatory Risk Management
- Identify and prioritize regulatory risks and opportunities; lead impact analyses, scenario planning, and mitigation plans to prevent shipment delays, product redesigns, or field retrofit exposure.
- Own and improve governance for compliance evidence (e.g., technical files, declarations, supplier material disclosures, test reports, certificates), ensuring audit-ready documentation and traceability.
- Partner with Legal on interpretation, enforcement response, and contractual language; support investigations, corrective actions, and communications with authorities when required.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain to implement robust supplier compliance programs (restricted substance controls, IPC-1752/IEC 62474 declarations where applicable, change notification, and escalation paths).
Internal Enablement & Governance
- Establish and continuously improve internal product compliance policies, procedures, and governance, including clear ownership, escalation pathways, and decision rights across business units and regions.
- Develop and deliver training for Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations on product regulatory requirements (e.g., RoHS/REACH, labeling/marking, safety certification expectations, documentation and record retention).
- Ensure consistent global interpretation and implementation of requirements across product lines and sites; standardize templates, checklists, and evidence packages.
- Enable sustainability and customer reporting needs by partnering with ESG/Sustainability teams to provide product-related data (materials, substances, compliance statements) while maintaining technical accuracy and defensibility.
Experience and Qualifications
The successful candidate will have
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, chemistry, materials science, environmental science, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent experience).
- Extensive experience in product regulatory affairs / product compliance for complex hardware systems (capital equipment, industrial electronics, medical devices, aerospace, or similar); semiconductor equipment experience strongly valued.
- Demonstrated expertise with global product environmental and chemicals regulations (e.g., RoHS, REACH/SCIP, TSCA, PFAS programs, Prop 65) and the ability to translate requirements into engineering and supply chain actions.
- Experience engaging regulatory authorities, industry associations, and/or standards bodies; strong capability to influence without authority across global, matrixed organizations.
- Excellent executive communication skills including the ability to present complex topics clearly to senior leaders and cross-functional technical teams.
- Experience providing strategic regulatory advice to senior management, steering committees, or executive stakeholders
- Demonstrated ability to anticipate regulatory trends, assess forward‑looking impact, and influence business planning and prioritization
Desirable experience
- Experience driving governance frameworks, regulatory trackers, risk assessments, or operating models that institutionalize regulatory compliance and accountability
- Ability to champion regulatory topics internally, build awareness, and upskill teams through guidance, training, and thought leadership
- Experience supporting market access and certifications for global shipments (e.g., CE/UKCA marking, IEC/UL safety, EMC compliance, laser safety where applicable, and related documentation).
- Leadership roles in standards organizations or trade associations (e.g., SEMI, IEC, ISO) and proven experience drafting industry positions and comment letters.
- Experience implementing supplier materials/compliance due diligence and data collection programs and tools, and working with manufacturing operations on compliance controls and audits.
- Familiarity with ESG / sustainability frameworks and customer reporting expectations as they relate to products (materials transparency, chemicals management, circularity, product environmental attributes).
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
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in engineering, chemistry, materials science, environmental science, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent 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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