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 & ResponsibilitiesThe Staff Applications Engineer is a recognized technical leader responsible for defining, developing, and scaling advanced inspection applications across Onto Innovation's inspection portfolio. This role drives application strategy, influences product roadmap decisions, and serves as a key technical authority for defect inspection, process control, and yield optimization in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
Working across Product Development, Systems Engineering, Product Management, Marketing, Field Applications, and strategic customers, the Staff Applications Engineer leads complex application initiatives from concept through commercialization, enabling successful new product introductions, accelerating customer adoption, and identifying new market opportunities. This position requires deep expertise in semiconductor process control, defect characterization, metrology, advanced packaging technologies, and customer-facing technical leadership.
Key ResponsibilitiesApplication Strategy, Development & Product Leadership
- Lead the development and deployment of advanced inspection applications that address critical customer challenges in defect detection, process monitoring, process window optimization, and yield improvement.
- Define application roadmaps, Best Known Methods (BKMs), and scalable customer workflows that maximize product performance across multiple technology nodes and manufacturing environments.
- Drive identification and evaluation of emerging application opportunities in wafer-level packaging, panel-level packaging, heterogeneous integration, advanced packaging, and next-generation semiconductor technologies.
- Lead product characterization, benchmarking, qualification, and validation efforts that influence product requirements, design decisions, and commercialization strategies.
- Translate customer needs, market trends, and technology challenges into actionable product enhancements and future roadmap recommendations.
- Serve as the technical authority for complex application issues, delivering innovative solutions to challenging process control and inspection problems.
Customer Engagement & Industry Leadership- Lead strategic customer engagements, executive-level technical reviews, and high-visibility evaluations with key semiconductor manufacturers and R&D organizations.
- Drive customer demonstrations, proof-of-concept studies, and benchmark evaluations that validate competitive differentiation and accelerate technology adoption.
- Partner with customers to develop novel use cases, application methodologies, and process solutions that create measurable manufacturing value.
- Act as a trusted technical advisor to customers, providing guidance on inspection strategies, defect reduction, process optimization, and factory implementation.
- Support product launches, industry conferences, technical publications, and customer workshops to position Onto Innovation as a technology leader.
Cross-Functional Technical Leadership- Lead cross-functional teams in defining application requirements and influencing product architecture, system capabilities, and future development priorities.
- Provide technical mentorship and thought leadership to Applications Engineers, Field Applications Engineers, and other engineering teams across the organization.
- Drive alignment across Engineering, Product Management, Product Marketing, Operations, and Customer Support to ensure successful product deployment and customer outcomes.
- Establish best practices, technical standards, and scalable application methodologies across the applications organization.
- Author and review technical documentation, validation reports, white papers, training materials, and customer-facing technical content.
Innovation & Organizational Impact- Identify emerging technology trends, competitive developments, and market opportunities that shape future application and product strategies.
- Lead highly complex, business-critical initiatives with broad organizational impact and measurable influence on product success, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth.
- Influence strategic decisions through deep technical expertise, customer insight, and market knowledge.
- Represent Onto Innovation as a subject matter expert internally and externally, helping drive industry adoption of next-generation inspection solutions.
Preferred Staff-Level Differentiators- Recognized subject matter expert in semiconductor inspection, process control, defect characterization, or advanced packaging applications.
- Demonstrated ability to influence product strategy, technology direction, and business outcomes across multiple organizations.
- Experience leading large-scale customer engagements with top-tier semiconductor manufacturers.
- Proven track record of mentoring engineers and providing technical leadership without direct managerial authority.
- Ability to operate independently on highly ambiguous and strategically important initiatives with company-wide impact.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline with 8+ years of semiconductor industry experience.
OR- Master's degree with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
OR- Ph.D. in a relevant technical discipline with 3+ years of relevant industry experience
Additional Requirements- Strong understanding of semiconductor manufacturing, defect inspection, and process control.
- Experience developing and deploying semiconductor inspection applications.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment.
- Willingness to travel to support customer engagements and demonstrations.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience with semiconductor inspection, metrology, process control, or advanced packaging solutions.
- Knowledge of wafer-level and panel-level packaging technologies, manufacturing processes, and process control challenges.
- Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
- Experience leading customer demonstrations, proof-of-concept evaluations, or technical projects.
- Demonstrated leadership through mentoring engineers, leading cross-functional projects, or coordinating technical teams.
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:
$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.
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).
