Senior Systems Engineer

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.

Job Summary & Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership for the development, integration, and continuous improvement of advanced automated optical inspection (AOI), defect inspection, and metrology systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. Lead system architecture, requirements development, verification, validation, productization, and field support activities across the full product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Inspection & Metrology Expertise

• Develop and optimize systems for:
  • Wafer defect inspection
  • Advanced packaging inspection
  • Macro defect inspection
  • Optical metrology
  • 3D metrology solutions
• Improve sensitivity, throughput, classification accuracy, and measurement precision.
• Analyze process-control requirements to support customer yield improvement initiatives.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Work closely with:
  • Optical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Software Engineering
  • Algorithms/AI teams
  • Manufacturing
  • Service and Applications teams
• Coordinate system integration activities and resolve complex technical issues.
• Mentor engineers and promote system-level thinking.

Verification & Validation

• Define system test strategies and acceptance criteria.
• Lead verification and validation efforts.
• Evaluate system readiness and technical maturity.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for performance issues.

Manufacturing & Field Support

• Support product transfer to manufacturing.
• Ensure service readiness and field deployment success.
• Assist in resolving customer escalations and reliability concerns.
• Drive continuous product improvements based on customer feedback.

Qualifications

Education

• BS, MS, or PhD in:
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Physics
  • Optical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Systems Engineering
  • Related technical discipline

Technical Experience

• Semiconductor inspection, metrology, or lithography equipment.
• Optical and imaging systems.
• Complex capital equipment development.
• Systems engineering methodologies.
• Product architecture and requirements management.
• Verification and validation.
• Root cause analysis and problem solving.

Preferred Skills

• Semiconductor process control.
• Machine vision and image processing.
• AI/ML-based defect classification.
• Precision motion control.
• Optical instrument development.
• Yield enhancement methodologies.
• Python, MATLAB, or data analytics tools.

What Onto Likely Looks for in a Senior Systems Engineer

A strong candidate would typically be someone who can:

• Own end-to-end system architecture.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams without direct authority.
• Understand semiconductor manufacturing challenges and customer use cases.
• Translate customer yield problems into inspection and metrology system requirements.
• Drive new product innovation from concept through manufacturing release and field deployment.

Onto Innovation Inc. offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including health/dental/vision/life/disability, PTO, 401K plan with employer match, and an Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) along with health & wellness initiatives. We provide a collaborative working environment along with resources, and state-of-the-art tools & equipment to promote success; and a welcoming, inclusive corporate culture where individuals are recognized for their contributions.

Onto Innovation Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

For positions requiring access to technical data, Onto Innovation Inc., Inc. may have to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the U.S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this position - except US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, and protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) - may have to go through an export licensing review process.