Staff Optical Engineer

Onto Innovation•Wilmington, MA

4d•$115,200 - $172,800

About The Position

At Onto Innovation, you will play a key role in developing next-generation optical metrology and inspection systems used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. As a Staff Optical Engineer, you will lead the design and development of optical subsystems that enable precise measurement of nanometer-scale features in logic and memory devices. You will contribute to innovations across the full optical stack—from source and illumination design to imaging and detection—supporting AI-driven process control and yield optimization in leading-edge fabs.

Requirements

MSc or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
7+ years of experience in optical system design and development
Proven experience with optical simulation tools such as Zemax or Code V
Strong understanding of optical system performance drivers (e.g., aberrations, polarization, scattering, noise, tolerances)
Hands-on experience with optical system prototyping, alignment, and testing
Experience working in cross-disciplinary engineering teams
Proficiency in data analysis and automation using Python or MATLAB
Demonstrated ability to own projects, define milestones, and deliver results

Nice To Haves

Experience in semiconductor metrology, inspection, or lithography systems
Knowledge of advanced optical techniques (e.g., scatterometry, interferometry, ellipsometry, lithography, imaging systems)
Experience working with suppliers and managing lens development
Familiarity with high-precision calibration and metrology techniques

Responsibilities

Lead the design, analysis, and validation of advanced optical systems and modules for semiconductor metrology and inspection
Develop optical architectures spanning UV to IR wavelengths, including sources, illumination, imaging optics, and detection strategies
Perform optical modeling and simulation (e.g., Zemax, Code V), including tolerancing, stray light analysis, and performance optimization
Define specifications and collaborate with external suppliers to develop and qualify optical components and assemblies
Drive prototyping, integration, and experimental validation of optical subsystems
Develop calibration methodologies and procedures to ensure measurement accuracy and system stability
Create documentation, test instructions, and integration workflows to support manufacturing, service, and field applications
Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, software, systems, and algorithm teams to deliver fully integrated solutions
Provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to optical technology