Production Manager
KLA · San Diego, CA
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $109k–$185k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at KLA (industrial) in San Diego, CA. Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, supply chain, quality, and R&D teams to resolve production issues, introduce new products, and improve existing processes.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Root cause, Automation, MES
- Base pay
- $109k–$185k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Production Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $125k–$177k. This one lists $109k–$185k.
Median of the low and high ends of 47 live postings that list pay, out of 125 production engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 124 other live production postings in California.
- Base pay
- In line with similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $120k–$170k, from 37 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- New product launch 37%
- ✓ Lean 32%
- ✓ Root cause 28%
- ✓ Automation 27%
- ✓ Team leadership 22%
- Python 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at KLA
We found 6 people at this company and state: 4 in this kind of role, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Tomas → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: KLA in San Diego
1 other open role at this site · 6 people we found in production roles at KLA.
- Manufacturing Technician · Manufacturing · Technician
Full description from KLAAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
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.
Job
Responsibilities
- ◆Manage and lead all production activities across assigned manufacturing lines, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, quality standards, and production plans.
- ◆Develop and implement production strategies to optimize output, reduce costs, and improve efficiency through lean manufacturing principles and process automation.
- ◆Set clear production goals and objectives, monitor performance against key metrics (e.g., OOBQ, yield, cycle time, OTD), and implement corrective actions as needed.
- ◆Recruit, train, mentor, and evaluate production personnel, fostering a high-performance team culture.
- ◆Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, supply chain, quality, and R&D teams to resolve production issues, introduce new products, and improve existing processes.
- ◆Implement and maintain robust quality control systems to ensure products meet KLA's stringent quality standards.
- ◆Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory
requirements
and company policies.
- ✓Drive continuous improvement initiatives through data analysis, root cause identification, and implementation of sustainable solutions.
- ✓Continuation of Master Scheduler and Configuration Analyst duties until a qualified replacement is in place.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in a technically applicable field of study.
- ✓Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
- ✓Strong understanding of manufacturing critical metrics including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and cycle time.
- ✓Strong understanding of manufacturing execution systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
- ✓Excellent leadership, mentoring, problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- ✓Exceptional communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with all levels of the organization.
- ✓Proficiency in data analysis tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
About KLA
We provide advanced inspection tools, metrology systems, process solutions, and computational analytics that make electronics possible, tackling complex challenges. From electron and photon optics to machine learning and data analytics, we seek perfection at the most fundamental level of matter in the universe. If you want to make electronics that push industries forward and make the world a better place, join us.
Total Rewards
Primary Location: USA-CA-San Diego-KLA
KLA’s total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.
Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage
requirements
where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
Use of AI Statement
At KLA, our interviews seek to understand your individual skills, problem-solving approach and authentic thinking. To ensure a fair and consistent evaluation, the use of AI, recording tools or other technologies to generate, suggest or provide responses during interviews—whether virtual or in person—is not permitted unless explicitly approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation or invited by the interviewer. Use of these tools may interfere with our ability to evaluate your individual
qualifications
and affect your candidacy. KLA is committed to advancing innovation through responsible AI, and we value candidates who share this mindset.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.