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 Onto Innovation is seeking an Applications Development Engineer focused on developing and deploying inspection solutions for advanced semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. This role is part of the Applications Engineering organization and works closely with Algorithms, Optics, Systems, Software, and Product teams to translate core technology capabilities into production-ready solutions.
This position bridges product development and customer-facing applications, ensuring inspection tools deliver high sensitivity, accuracy, and throughput while meeting real-world manufacturing requirements. You will drive application readiness, validate performance, and enable scalable deployment of inspection solutions across wafer, substrate, and advanced packaging applications.
This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy working at the intersection of hardware, algorithms, and customer applications, and who want to make a direct impact on yield improvement and product adoption.
Key Responsibilities Application Development & Optimization - Develop and optimize inspection recipes for defect detection, classification, and measurement across wafers, substrates, and advanced packaging applications.
- Characterize tool performance including sensitivity, accuracy, throughput (WPH), and repeatability.
- Drive application readiness for New Product Introduction (NPI) and roadmap tools, ensuring solutions meet production deployment requirements.
- Develop test plans, benchmarking methodologies, and validation strategies to ensure robust application performance.
Algorithms & Data-Driven Inspection - Collaborate with ML/algorithm teams to develop and validate defect detection and classification (ADC) solutions.
- Contribute to dataset generation, labeling, training workflows, and performance benchmarking.
- Support deployment of AI-driven inspection techniques and multi-channel imaging approaches.
- Analyze large customer datasets to extract actionable insights for yield improvement and process control.
System Integration & Performance Optimization - Partner with systems, optics, and software engineering teams to optimize end-to-end system performance.
- Debug complex interactions across image acquisition, illumination, motion control, and compute pipelines.
- Drive improvements in tool stability, usability, throughput, and overall system robustness.
- Ensure seamless integration between hardware capabilities and application requirements.
Customer Engagement & Application Deployment - Interface directly with customers to understand process challenges and translate them into effective inspection solutions.
- Support customer demos, head-to-head evaluations, beta programs, and field escalations.
- Provide application expertise to enable successful tool adoption and performance validation in manufacturing environments.
Product & Technology Development Support - Provide structured feedback to R&D and Product Management to influence product specifications, PRDs, and roadmap direction.
- Contribute to definition of application requirements for next-generation inspection technologies.
- Develop application notes, best practices, and standardized workflows for global deployment.
- Support training and knowledge transfer for internal teams and customers.
Lifecycle Support - Support products across the full lifecycle, including NPI characterization, field deployment, and escalation resolution.
- Travel approximately 30-40% (domestic and international) to support customer engagements, tool installations, and critical issue resolution.
Qualifications - Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field.
- 3-7+ years of experience in semiconductor inspection, metrology, or process engineering.
- Strong understanding of semiconductor processes and defect inspection methodologies.
- Experience in experimental design, data analysis, and system performance characterization.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to debug complex, multi-disciplinary systems.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate across cross-functional and global teams.
- Self-driven with the ability to take initiative in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience with AOI systems, wafer inspection tools, or advanced packaging inspection.
- Familiarity with machine learning workflows and ADC (Automated Defect Classification).
- Knowledge of KLARF, yield analysis, and fab integration workflows.
- Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
- Experience supporting customer-facing activities such as demos, evaluations, or escalations.
Why Join Onto Innovation?
At 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.
Compensation & Growth Base Salary Range:
$72,080.00 - $108,120.00, 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.
Empowering Every Voice to Shape the Future:
Onto 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.
Important Note on Export Compliance
For 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).
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