Staff R&D Scientist

Onto Innovation; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO

401K with employer match

ESPP

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

Onto Innovation Inc. is seeking a Staff R&D Scientist to join its advanced metrology and analytics team in Singapore.

You will actively develop, prototype, validate and test AI-driven data analysis solutions that enhance optical metrology performance, collaborating with scientists and software developers across disciplines. The role emphasizes independent and cross-functional work, tackling customer challenges with innovative ML/AI approaches, and contributing to production-ready algorithms and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in a related field (Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Optics, Mathematics, Statistics).
• 7+ years in R&D, algorithm development, ML, modelling, or metrology.
• Strong background in data analysis, ML, signal processing, statistics, visualization.
• Proven ML/AI research experience with impactful projects.
• Proficiency in Python/MATLAB/C++ and ML libraries (Scikit-learn, PyTorch, TF, JAX).
• Experience deploying large-scale models for scientific or industrial products.

Responsibilities

• Interface with scientists, product management, and marketing to analyse customer needs.
• Innovate and apply ML/AI to address challenges and gaps.
• Collect and analyse technical data, review literature, propose improvements.
• Design, prototype, and tune algorithms for production-ready solutions.
• Validate and benchmark algorithms to enhance optical metrology performance.
• Collaborate with software teams for productization and feature definition.
• Develop test plans to verify performance and reliability.

Skills

Data analysis

Machine learning

Signal processing

Scientific computing

Data visualization

Education

PhD or MSc in Physics/Engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C++

Scikit-learn

PyTorch/TensorFlow/JAX

Job description

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 & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Staff R&D Scientist will join our advanced metrology and analytics research team in Singapore. The highly self-motivated individual will play an active hands-on role in algorithm development, work closely with R&D scientists, software developers and application scientists to innovate, prototype, validate, implement and test advanced AI-driven data analysis solutions and algorithms that enhance optical metrology performance.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Interface with application scientists, product management, and marketing team to understand and analyse customers’ requirements and technology gaps.
• Innovate and develop new concepts, leveraging machine learning and AI techniques to address customer challenges and close identified technology gaps, working both independently and within cross‑functional teams.
• Collect and analyse technical data, conduct literature reviews, propose new methodologies or improvements to existing solutions.
• Conceptualize, design, prototype, and fine-tune algorithms and find the best approach to solve a specific problem.
• Validate, benchmark, and implement advanced algorithms that enhance optical metrology performance.
• Propose and define new features based on RD findings, create clear software requirements and specifications, and collaborate with software engineering teams to drive successful productization.
• Develop and execute test plans to verify algorithm performance, reliability, and readiness for deployment in production environments.
• Play a key role in innovative technology development, deliver solutions that create measurable values for customers and the business.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Chemical Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Optics, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field.

• Typically 7+ years of relevant R&D, algorithm development, machine learning, modelling, scientific computing, or semiconductor metrology experience; fewer years may be considered with exceptional technical depth and demonstrated impact.

• Solid background in one or more of the following areas: data analysis, machine learning, signal processing, scientific computing, estimation and optimization, statistics, and data visualization.

• Proven experience with machine learning and AI research in academic or industrial environment, demonstrate a strong sense of innovation and ability to reframe tranditional problems into well-defined, impactful machine learning / AI projects, develop and build solutions with measurable outcomes.

• Strong programming skills in Python / MATLAB / C++, or similar programming languages; Extensive experience with machine learning libraries such as Scikit-learn; Proficiency in at least one deep learning framework such as PyTorch, TensorFlow or JAX; Knowledge and hands-on experience with large language model, reinforcement learning, generative AI.

• Demonstrate track record in building and deploying large scale models for scientific or industrial products.

• Demonstrate intellectual honesty and a sense of urgency in driving projects to completion.

• Excellent communication skills, ability to present technical materials both to working-level peers and to senior management internally and externally.

• Experience in the semiconductor or related manufacturing industry is strong plus, or demonstration of strong motivation and abilities to acquire metrology domain knowledge on the job.

• Ability to travel up to 25% is preferred.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, iterative development environment or work within a cross-department collaborative setting (R&D scientist, Applications, Software Development, Integration, …).

Onto Innovation Inc. offers competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including health/dental/vision/life/disability, PTO, 401K plan with employer match, and an Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP) along with health & wellness initiatives. We provide a collaborative working environment along with resources, and state-of-the-art tools & equipment to promote success; and a welcoming, inclusive corporate culture where individuals are recognized for their contributions.

Onto Innovation Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.

For positions requiring access to technical data, Onto Innovation Inc., Inc. may have to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the U.S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this position – except US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, and protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) – may have to go through an export licensing review process.