Senior System 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.

Onto Innovation is a semiconductor process control capital equipment company focused on enabling our customers to achieve higher yield, improved quality, and smarter manufacturing. Our portfolio spans advanced metrology, inspection, lithography, and process control software—helping the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers solve their most complex problems.

Our Foundational Engineering Group (FEG) develops common platforms, systems, software frameworks, and engineering tools used across all Onto Innovation products. FEO serves as an enabling technology organization, building the core modules and architecture that new products leverage for scale, reliability, and accelerated time‑to‑market.

To support our next generation of product platforms, FEO is expanding our Pilot / New Product Introduction (NPI) team with a highly skilled Senior Systems Engineer specializing in module and system characterization.

The Senior Systems Engineer, Module & System Characterization will lead characterization, validation, and functional performance assessment of foundational modules and integrated subsystems used across Onto Innovation’s capital equipment portfolio. This role is critical in bridging early engineering concepts with production-ready solutions. You will work hands‑on with mechanical, optical, electrical, and software modules to quantify performance, develop characterization methodologies, and ensure robust integration into next‑generation systems.

This role requires strong systems thinking, deep analytical capability, and comfort working in an advanced R&D environment where clarity evolves as designs mature.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mechatronics
  , or a related technical discipline.
• 6+ years of experience in systems engineering roles supporting semiconductor capital equipment or complex electromechanical platforms
  .
• Demonstrated experience leading system, module, or subsystem characterization
  , validation, and performance assessment across multiple engineering domains.
• Strong systems‑level thinking
  , with the ability to decompose requirements, define interfaces, and translate early concepts into verifiable, production‑ready designs.
• Hands‑on experience working with precision mechanical, optical, electrical, and software‑enabled modules within complex integrated systems.
• Proven expertise developing test strategies, characterization methods, and validation plans to quantify system performance and identify design margins.
• Ability to diagnose complex technical issues using data‑driven analysis, root‑cause methodologies, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration
  .
• Experience working in advanced R&D environments
  , where requirements evolve and design maturity increases over time.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey technical findings and trade‑offs to cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Must be able to travel internationally to customer sites at least 20% of the time, with additional travel as business needs require.

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)…