Staff Optical Engineer

Onto Innovation•Budd Lake, NJ

6d•$115,200 - $172,800

About The Position

The Staff Optical Engineer will lead and support the design, development, and implementation of optical metrology solutions used in semiconductor manufacturing processes. This role involves working closely with experienced engineers and cross‑functional teams to help ensure the accuracy and reliability of optical systems for wafer measurement and inspection. The Staff Optical Engineer will contribute to system development, testing, and continuous improvement efforts in alignment with production and quality goals.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field
Foundational knowledge of optical principles including geometrical optics, physical optics, and optical instrumentation
Hands‑on experience with optical laboratory testing, alignment, or characterization (academic, internship, or industry experience)
Familiarity with at least one optical simulation or design tool (e.g., Zemax, Code V, COMSOL, or similar)
Basic understanding of optical metrology techniques such as interferometry, ellipsometry, or scatterometry
Experience analyzing experimental data using tools such as MATLAB, Python, or Excel
Strong technical documentation and communication skills
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross‑functional engineering environment.

Responsibilities

Design, simulate, and optimize optical subsystems for metrology and inspection tools used in semiconductor manufacturing.
Support the development and implementation of optical measurement methods such as interferometry, ellipsometry, or scatterometry for wafer inspection and process monitoring.
Work with mechanical, electrical, software, and process engineers to help integrate optical components and systems into semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Participate in characterizing and evaluating optical system performance, helping to identify opportunities to improve measurement accuracy, stability, and throughput.
Assist with prototyping activities and laboratory testing of optical systems, including data collection, analysis, and documentation of results.
Help diagnose and resolve optical system issues under the guidance of senior engineers, contributing to root‑cause analysis and corrective actions.
Create and maintain technical documentation for designs, test procedures, and experimental results in accordance with internal standards.
Support interactions with vendors and suppliers by helping evaluate components and verify that specifications meet system requirements.
Learn industry best practices and emerging optical metrology techniques while building technical knowledge through mentorship and hands‑on experience.