{"id":1273809,"url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-senior-applications-engineer-3","title":"Senior Applications 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":{"grade":"A","score":89,"open_postings":30,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.233,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":76,"computed_at":"2026-10-21T05:46:15Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"senior","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":115200,"max":172800,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":172800},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Machine Learning","optional":false},{"name":"Photolithography","optional":false},{"name":"Computer Vision","optional":true},{"name":"JMP","optional":true},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":true},{"name":"Python","optional":true},{"name":"SQL","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-16T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-07-16","last_verified_at":"2026-10-21T23:22:33Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":98,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":98},"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\nPosition Summary\nThe Senior Applications Engineeris responsible forleading the development, validation, and deployment of advanced inspection solutions across Onto Innovation’s inspection product portfolio. Serving as a key technical leader within the Product Lifecycle (PLC) Applications Development organization, this role drives product readiness, application innovation, customer adoption, and technology commercialization.\nThe successful candidate will work closely with Product Development, Systems Engineering, Software, Algorithms, Product Management, Marketing, and Customer-facing organizations to transform emerging technologies into scalable, production-ready customer solutions. This position plays a critical role in New Product Introduction (NPI), strategic customer engagements, application development, competitive benchmarking, and roadmap validation across wafer inspection, advanced packaging, and semiconductor manufacturing applications.\nThis roleoperatesin a highly collaborative, multinational environment, partnering with engineering teams, field organizations, and customers across North America, Asia, and Europe. The successful candidate must be comfortable working across diverse cultures, time zones, and business environments while supporting global product deployment, customer evaluations, product demonstrations, and strategic business initiatives. The position requires domestic and international travel of up to 30%.\nKey Responsibilities\nApplication Development & Technical Leadership\nLead development and optimization of advanced inspection recipes for defect detection, classification, process monitoring, and yield improvement applications.\n\nDesign customer-focused workflows thatdemonstrateproduct differentiation, manufacturing relevance, and business value.\n\nEstablish andvalidateBest Known Methods (BKMs) for global deployment across multiple inspection platforms.\n\nDrive application strategies supporting wafer inspection, advanced packaging, heterogeneous integration, and emerging semiconductor technologies.\n\nProvide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and cross-functional project teams.\n\nProduct Validation & New Product Introduction (NPI)\nLead application characterization, benchmarking, and qualification activities for new products and roadmap technologies.\n\nDevelop and execute comprehensive validation plans covering sensitivity, accuracy, throughput, nuisance rate, repeatability, and production readiness.\n\nDefine customer-relevant use cases and performance benchmarks for product acceptance.\n\nSupport release readiness reviews and ensure successful product deployment.\n\nPartner with Product Management and Development teams to influence product requirements and roadmap priorities.\n\nCustomer Demonstrations & Strategic Engagements\nLead technical demonstrations for customers, executive reviews, product launches, and marketing initiatives.\n\nDevelop compelling evaluation workflows that highlight product capabilities and competitive advantages.\n\nSupport strategic customer evaluations, proof-of-concept projects, and competitive benchmark studies.\n\nDefine success criteria and technical evaluation methodologies for customerengagements.\n\nServe as a technical expert and trusted advisor during critical customer programs.\n\nCross-Functional Collaboration\nCollaborate closely with Systems, Optics, Software, Algorithms, Product Management, Marketing, and Business Units.\n\nTranslate customer requirements into actionable product and application requirements.\n\nProvide structured application feedback that influences technology development and product specifications.\n\nCoordinate activities across multiple engineering and business organizations to achieve product readinessobjectives.\n\nRepresent Applications Engineering in product development reviews and technology planning discussions.\n\nData Analytics & Performance Optimization\nAnalyze inspection, process, and customer datasets toidentifyoptimization opportunities and drive performance improvements.\n\nLead machine learning and Automated Defect Classification (ADC) validation initiatives.\n\nDevelop statistical methodologies and data-driven approaches for application optimization.\n\nGenerate performance reports, benchmark analyses, and customer-facing technical documentation.\n\nDrive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product performance and customer productivity.\n\nDocumentation, Knowledge Transfer & Training\nDevelop application guides, validation reports, best practices, deployment procedures, and technical documentation.\n\nEstablish andmaintainglobal application standards and processes.\n\nDeliver training programs for engineering teams, field organizations, and customers.\n\nLead knowledge-transfer activities supporting global application deployment and product adoption.\n\nMentor junior engineers and contribute to organizational capability development.\n\nQualifications\nBachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline with5+ years of experience in semiconductor inspection, metrology, applications engineering, process engineering, yield engineering, or related fields.\n\nOR\nMaster's degree in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline with2+ years of industry experience in semiconductor inspection, metrology, applications engineering, process engineering, or related technical fields.\n\nOR\nPh.D. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, ora relatedtechnical discipline.\n\nStrong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing processes, defect inspection principles, and process control methodologies.\n\nDemonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems through data-driven analysis.\n\nStrong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.\n\nExperience working effectively in multinational and multicultural environments with geographically distributed teams and customers.\n\nAbility to collaborate across multiple functions and organizational levels in a fast-paced environment.\n\nAbility and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 30%.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with semiconductor inspection, AOI, metrology, advanced packaging, process control, or yield enhancement solutions.\n\nKnowledge of machine learning, image processing, computer vision, and Automated Defect Classification (ADC) technologies.\n\nProficiencywith analytical and data science tools such as Python, MATLAB, SQL, JMP, or equivalent platforms.\n\nExperience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI), product qualification, and technology commercialization activities.\n\nExperience leading customer demonstrations, proof-of-concept evaluations, or strategic technical projects.\n\nFamiliarity with semiconductor manufacturing workflows, process monitoring, and yield improvement methodologies.\n\nProven ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives and influence product direction.\n\nExperience mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership across organizations.\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$115,200.00 - $172,800.00, 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":9485,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Test & Measurement Instruments","Semiconductor Equipment"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-26T00:48:55Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":29,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":0.9,"p_active":0.726,"p_room":0.44,"age_days":97,"expected_fill_days":76,"reasons":["conf:60","velocity","win:tail","crowd:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-21T05:46:15Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":172800,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-senior-applications-engineer-3","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-senior-applications-engineer-3.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-22T05:08:39Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":5879,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-23T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":2025019},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=2025019"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fonto-innovation-senior-applications-engineer-3"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fonto-innovation-senior-applications-engineer-3"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fonto-innovation-senior-applications-engineer-3"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/onto-innovation-senior-applications-engineer-3\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fonto-innovation-senior-applications-engineer-3"}]}