{"id":1273724,"url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-staff-optical-engineer","title":"Staff Optical 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":76,"open_postings":26,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.962,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":33,"computed_at":"2026-10-24T06:02:35Z"}},"role":"Semiconductors","role_family":"Semiconductors","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":115200,"max":172800,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":172800},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":7,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Ellipsometry","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Photolithography","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-23T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-23","last_verified_at":"2026-10-24T12:56:23Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":31,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":31},"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\nAt Onto Innovation, you will play a key role in developing next-generation optical metrology and inspection systems used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. As a Staff Optical Engineer, you will lead the design and development of optical subsystems that enable precise measurement of nanometer-scale features in logic and memory devices.\nYou will contribute to innovations across the full optical stack-from source and illumination design to imaging and detection-supporting AI-driven process control and yield optimization in leading-edge fabs.\nLead the design, analysis, and validation of advanced optical systems and modules for semiconductor metrology and inspection\n\nDevelop optical architectures spanning UV to IR wavelengths, including sources, illumination, imaging optics, and detection strategies\n\nPerform optical modeling and simulation (e.g., Zemax, Code V), including tolerancing, stray light analysis, and performance optimization\n\nDefine specifications and collaborate with external suppliers to develop and qualify optical components and assemblies\n\nDrive prototyping, integration, and experimental validation of optical subsystems\n\nDevelop calibration methodologies and procedures to ensure measurement accuracy and system stability\n\nCreate documentation, test instructions, and integration workflows to support manufacturing, service, and field applications\n\nCollaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and algorithm teams to deliver fully integrated solutions\n\nProvide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to optical technology\n\nQualifications\nRequired\nMSc or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field\n\n7+ years of experience in optical system design and development\n\nProven experience with optical simulation tools such as Zemax or Code V\n\nStrong understanding of optical system performance drivers (e.g., aberrations, polarization, scattering, noise, tolerances)\n\nHands-on experience with optical system prototyping, alignment, and testing\n\nExperience working in cross-disciplinary engineering teams\n\nProficiency in data analysis and automation using Python or MATLAB\n\nDemonstrated ability to own projects, define milestones, and deliver results\n\nMust be able to travel internationally at least 20% of the time\n\nPreferred\nExperience in semiconductor metrology, inspection, or lithography systems\n\nKnowledge of advanced optical techniques (e.g., scatterometry, interferometry, ellipsometry, lithography, imaging systems)\n\nExperience working with suppliers and managing lens development\n\nFamiliarity with high-precision calibration and metrology techniques\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":4982,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":7,"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"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":43,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":1,"p_active":0.578,"p_room":0.75,"age_days":31,"expected_fill_days":33,"reasons":["conf:28","stale_co","velocity","win:late","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-24T06:02:35Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":172800,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-staff-optical-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/onto-innovation-staff-optical-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-24T14:50:17Z","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":20996,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-25T00:00:00Z"}},"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-staff-optical-engineer"},{"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-staff-optical-engineer"},{"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-staff-optical-engineer"},{"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-optical-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fonto-innovation-staff-optical-engineer"}]}