Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering

Onto Innovation•Milpitas, CA

2d•$160,000 - $240,000

About The Position

Onto Innovation is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Senior Manager, Mechanical Engineering to lead and develop advanced hardware and tooling solutions for next-generation metrology instruments. The role spans the full product lifecycle, from concept development and detailed design through prototyping, testing, and final product release. The position may work independently or lead small teams depending on project scope. The role focuses on motion-control and mechatronic systems, including defining control architectures and interfaces, designing precision optical mounts and positioning mechanisms, and resolving vibration, resonance, and other precision challenges. The successful candidate will justify design decisions with performance metrics, produce clear technical reports and documentation, and collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Operations, and Manufacturing teams. International travel to customer sites is required at least 20% of the time, with additional travel as business needs require.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience working as a Controls, Mechanical, or Mechatronic Engineer.
Knowledge of controls, including linear system control.
Proficiency in motion control, including servo tuning, stage control, and automation mapping.
Deep understanding of vibration analysis, modal analysis, and Vibration Criteria (VC) standards.
Experience with isolation systems and designing for micron- and nanometer-level accuracy.
Familiarity with system architecture, design requirements, and technical specifications for high-performance systems.
Experience implementing motion-control systems.
Experience with microcontrollers, Arduino, or Raspberry Pi.
Proficiency with accelerometers and spectrum analyzers to quantify and diagnose vibration.
Skill using contact and non-contact measurement methods and instruments, including indicators, capacitance gages, and interferometers, to measure mechanical errors and drift.
Experience designing mechanical systems for very clean environments; semiconductor, biotech, and food systems are applicable.
Skill using mathematical modeling software.
Strong background in precision mechanics, mechatronics, and electromechanical system design.
Ability to travel internationally to customer sites at least 20% of the time, with additional travel as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or higher in science or engineering.
At least 5 years of experience in a leadership role.

Responsibilities

Lead development of advanced hardware and tooling solutions for next-generation metrology instruments throughout the product lifecycle.
Define motion-system control architectures, including motors, drives, controllers, and interfaces.
Design optical mounts, sub-micron precision adjustment mechanisms, and positioning systems.
Architect mechatronic systems and select motors, sensors, and drive components to satisfy system requirements.
Apply motion-control simulation, control theory, servo tuning, stage control, and automation mapping.
Address precision issues such as vibration and resonance and design simple, effective structures.
Justify and quantify performance metrics supporting design decisions.
Finalize designs and release products for current and future metrology instruments.
Create clear technical reports and documentation.
Collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, and Software teams, as well as Operations and Manufacturing.
Travel internationally to customer sites at least 20% of the time, with additional travel as business needs require.