{"id":4293319,"url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-staff-applications-engineer-2","title":"Staff 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":"B","score":83,"open_postings":30,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.667,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":42,"computed_at":"2026-11-12T10:38:37Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"staff","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":129600,"max":194400,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":194400},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Photolithography","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-13T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-13","last_verified_at":"2026-11-14T00:14:00Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"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\nOnto Innovation is seeking a Staff Applications Engineer to support its lithography product portfolio. This role is ideal for an experienced lithography process engineer who has developed and optimized production lithography processes in a semiconductor, advanced packaging, substrate, or electronics manufacturing environment.\nThe successful candidate will work closely with engineering teams to develop lithography applications, characterize new capabilities, validate system performance, and support deployment of lithography solutions for advanced packaging and substrate manufacturing. While this role is primarily focused on application development and technology characterization, the candidate must be capable of engaging in technical discussions with customers and providing expert guidance on lithography processes, materials, and applications.\nThis position combines hands-on process development, experimentation, product validation, and technical leadership in support of next-generation packaging and substrate manufacturing technologies.\nKey Responsibilities\nApplication Development\nDevelop and optimize lithography applications for advanced packaging, IC substrates, glass core substrates, HDI, and panel-level manufacturing processes.\nDesign and execute experiments to evaluate imaging performance, process capability, and throughput.\nDevelop Best Known Methods (BKMs), application guidelines, and deployment workflows.\nCharacterize new lithography capabilities, materials, and process configurations.\nTroubleshoot complex lithography process challenges and provide technical recommendations to internal teams and customers.\nCustomer Evaluations & Technical Support\nSupport customer demonstrations, evaluations, benchmark studies, and proof-of-concept programs.\nDevelop customer-specific application workflows and evaluation methodologies.\nAnalyze experimental results and provide technical recommendations.\nParticipate in technical discussions with customers to understand process requirements and address application challenges.\nSupport customer acceptance testing and process qualification activities.\nProduct Validation & New Product Introduction\nSupport characterization and validation of new products, features, and process capabilities.\nDevelop application test plans and performance benchmarks.\nProvide application feedback to Product Development and Systems Engineering teams.\nSupport product launch activities, customer qualifications, and technology commercialization efforts.\nParticipate in roadmap evaluations and next-generation product development.\nTechnical Leadership\nServe as a subject matter expert for lithography processes and materials.\nSupport technical escalations and complex application issues.\nLead or contribute to cross-functional projects involving Engineering, Manufacturing, Product Management, and Field organizations.\nMentor junior engineers and contribute to application development best practices.\nDocumentation & Training\nDevelop application reports, process guidelines, technical documentation, and training materials.\nDeliver application and product training to internal teams and customers.\nSupport knowledge transfer activities for new products and applications.\nQualifications\nBachelor's degree in engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related technical field with 8+ years of relevant experience.\nOR\nMaster's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience.\nOR\nPhD with 3+ years of experience.\nExperience\nHands-on experience as a Lithography Process Engineer, Process Development Engineer, Module Engineer, or Applications Engineer in a semiconductor, advanced packaging, substrate, PCB, or electronics manufacturing environment.\nExtensive experience developing, qualifying, optimizing, and troubleshooting production lithography processes.\nStrong knowledge of photolithography processes and materials, including photoresists, dry film resists, dielectric materials, glass, organic substrates, and other advanced packaging materials.\nDemonstrated success applying lithography and materials expertise to solve complex manufacturing and process integration challenges.\nProven technical leadership in process development, technology transfers, manufacturing ramps, or major engineering initiatives.\nExperience leading cross-functional engineering projects and influencing technical decisions across engineering and manufacturing organizations.\nStrong verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively engage customers in technical discussions related to lithography processes, materials, and applications.\nAbility to travel domestically and internationally as required.\nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with advanced packaging, IC substrates, glass core substrates, HDI, panel-level packaging, or PCB manufacturing.\nExperience supporting process qualifications, technology transfers, manufacturing ramps, or New Product Introduction (NPI) programs.\nDemonstrated leadership through mentoring engineers or technicians, leading technical projects, or driving cross-functional initiatives.\nExperience commercializing new technologies or supporting customer adoption of manufacturing processes and products.\nIdeal Candidate\nAn experienced lithography process engineer from a semiconductor fab, OSAT, substrate manufacturer, or PCB facility with deep expertise in lithography processes and materials. The ideal candidate has a track record of solving complex manufacturing challenges, leading technical initiatives, and driving process development or manufacturing improvements. They are a strong hands-on engineer, an effective technical collaborator, and possess the technical credibility to engage customers and cross-functional teams. Prior people-management experience is beneficial, but not required; successful candidates should demonstrate the potential to grow into broader technical and organizational leadership roles.\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$129,600.00 - $194,400.00, 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":8248,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"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":"2026-11-14T00:14:00Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"adverts_offering_sponsorship_24m":0,"sanctioned_now":false,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 26 · green card filings: 12","filings_12m":26,"filings_prev_12m":20,"green_card_filings_12m":12,"median_offered_wage_usd":136184,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-11-12T07:36:15+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":1,"expected_fill_days":42,"reasons":["conf:1","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-14T01:35:22Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":194400,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-staff-applications-engineer-2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-staff-applications-engineer-2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-14T01:35:22Z","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":1399,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-15T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01,"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-staff-applications-engineer-2"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"free","price":{"credits":0,"usd":0},"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-staff-applications-engineer-2"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01},"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-staff-applications-engineer-2"},{"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-staff-applications-engineer-2\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fonto-innovation-staff-applications-engineer-2"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":4293319}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"ontoinnovation.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":4293319},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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