{"id":1273744,"url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-principal-systems-engineer","title":"Principal Systems Engineer","company":{"id":2025019,"name":"Onto Innovation","domain":"ontoinnovation.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/ontoinnovation","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":null},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Milpitas, United States","Hillsboro, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":160000,"max":240000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":240000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Simulink","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-18T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-18","last_verified_at":"2026-09-27T00:09:14Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":9,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":9},"description":"Onto Innovation is a leader in process control, combining global scale with an expanded portfolio of leading-edge technologies that include: 3D metrology spanning the chip from nanometer-scale transistors to micron-level die-interconnects; macro defect inspection of wafers and packages; metal interconnect composition; factory analytics; and lithography for advanced semiconductor packaging. Our breadth of offerings across the entire semiconductor value chain helps our customers solve their most difficult yield, device performance, quality, and reliability issues. Onto Innovation strives to optimize customers’ critical path of progress by making them smarter, faster and more efficient.\nJob Summary & Responsibilities\nWe are seeking a highly experienced Principal Systems Engineer to lead the architecture, integration, and validation of complex systems for advanced semiconductor Films and OCD metrology equipment. This role requires deep technical leadership across multidisciplinary domains, including optics, mechanics, electronics, software, and controls.\nThe Principal Systems Engineer will define system-level requirements, ensure cross-functional alignment, and drive technical execution from concept through production. This individual serves as the technical authority and plays a critical role in solving complex system-level challenges impacting performance, reliability, and scalability.\nKey Responsibilities\nSystem Architecture & Technical Leadership\nDefine and own system architecture for complex, high-precision equipment.\n\nTranslate product requirements into detailed system specifications and subsystem requirements.\n\nLead trade studies, system partitioning, and design decisions across multiple engineering disciplines.\n\nServe as the technical lead and decision-maker for system-level design reviews.\n\nRequirements & Interface Management\nDevelop, manage, and maintain system requirements, including traceability and validation.\n\nDefine and control system interfaces (mechanical, electrical, optical, software).\n\nEnsure alignment between subsystem designs and overall system performance requirements.\n\nIntegration & Validation\nLead system integration efforts, identifying and resolving cross-domain issues.\n\nDevelop system-level test plans, validation strategies, and acceptance criteria.\n\nDrive root cause analysis and resolution of system performance issues.\n\nPerformance & Reliability Engineering\nEstablish system error budgets, performance models, and sensitivity analyses.\n\nEnsure system stability under environmental conditions (thermal, vibration, contamination).\n\nLead design for reliability, maintainability, and manufacturability at the system level.\n\nCross-Functional Collaboration\nCollaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams.\n\nInterface with product management, manufacturing, quality, and field service teams.\n\nMentor junior engineers and influence technical direction across the organization.\n\nProgram Execution\nSupport project planning, risk assessment, and milestone delivery.\n\nIdentify technical risks and implement mitigation strategies.\n\nSupport customer engagements and translate application needs into system capabilities.\n\nQualifications\nMaster’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, Physics, or related field).\n\n10+ years of experience in complex system design and integration.\n\nProven experience in systems engineering within semiconductor equipment, photonics, aerospace, or precision instrumentation industries.\n\nStrong understanding of multidisciplinary systems (mechanics, optics, electronics, controls, and software).\n\nDemonstrated ability to lead technical teams and influence cross-functional stakeholders.\n\nMust be able to travel internationally to customer sites at least 20% of the time, with additional travel as business needs require.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with semiconductor metrology, inspection, or lithography systems.\n\nKnowledge of precision motion systems, optics, vacuum systems, or laser-based instrumentation.\n\nFamiliarity with modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).\n\nExperience defining system error budgets and performance modeling.\n\nExposure to cleanroom environments and high-reliability systems.\n\nKey Competencies\nStrategic thinking with strong system-level perspective.\n\nExceptional problem-solving and debugging skills in complex systems.\n\nStrong leadership and technical mentorship capabilities.\n\nEffective communication across technical and non-technical stakeholders.\n\nAbility to manage ambiguity and drive decisions in complex environments.\n\nWhy Join Onto Innovation?\nAt Onto Innovation, we believe your work should matter-and so should your well-being. That’s why we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family. From health, dental, and vision coverage to life and disability insurance, PTO, and a 401(k) with employer match, we’ve got you covered. You’ll also enjoy access to our Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), wellness initiatives, and cutting-edge tools-all within a collaborative, inclusive culture where your contributions are valued and recognized.\nCompensation & Growth\nBase Salary Range:\n$160,000.00 - $240,000.00, offered in good faith and based on experience, location, and qualifications.Additional Rewards: Annual bonus opportunities and potential long-term incentives tied to both company and individual success.\n\nEmpowering Every Voice to Shape the Future:\nOnto Innovation is committed to creating a workplace where every qualified candidate has an equal opportunity to succeed. We evaluate applicants based on skills, experience, and potential - without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We believe diversity of thought and background drives innovation and strengthens our team.\nImportant Note on Export Compliance\nFor certain positions requiring access to technical data, U.S. export licensing review may be necessary for applicants who are not U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other protected persons under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).","description_format":"text","description_chars":6212,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"master","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Artificial Intelligence","Manufacturing","Electronics Manufacturing"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-26T00:48:55Z"}],"liveness":{"score":82,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.82,"p_room":1,"age_days":8,"expected_fill_days":33,"reasons":["conf:0","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-09-26T05:45:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":240000,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-principal-systems-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-principal-systems-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-09-27T02:39:59Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2413,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":2587,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-09-28T00:00:00Z"}}}