Staff Applications Scientist

Onto Innovation; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 130,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

PTO

401(k) with employer match

ESPP

Wellness initiatives

Job summary

Onto Innovation is seeking a Staff Applications Scientist based in Hillsboro, Oregon to lead AI-assisted OCD validation and recipe development. You will collaborate with Applications, Software, AI/ML, and Engineering to validate solutions that reduce engineering effort while preserving model quality and customer acceptance.

The role requires extensive semiconductor metrology expertise, ability to travel, and the ability to work across teams to deliver validated, production-ready capabilities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s in physics/optical/engineering or related technical field.
• Strong experience in semiconductor metrology, optical metrology, OCD, thin-film measurement.
• Experience developing or validating metrology recipes and models.
• Willingness to travel internationally ~20%.

Responsibilities

• Establish baseline TTS measurements and a standardized OCD recipe-validation framework.
• Validate AI-generated recipes against engineering methods and fab benchmarks.
• Lead technical validation of Logic applications (Thin Film, GAA).
• Support customer and fab pilots including validation at customer sites.
• Evaluate model accuracy and robustness prior to deployment.
• Develop validation methodologies, test cases, and documentation for new capabilities.
• Offer technical liaison between customer teams and internal AI/ML, software, and engineering groups.

Skills

Semiconductor metrology

Optical metrology

OCD knowledge

Thin-film measurement

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. or Master's in Physics/Optical/Engineering

Tools

AI/ML workflows

OCD recipe tooling

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

Onto Innovation is seeking a Staff Applications Scientist based in Hillsboro, Oregon to support the OCD Time-to-Solution (TTS) reduction program. This role will lead fab validation and customer-facing technical validation of new AI-assisted and automated OCD recipe-development capabilities. The position will work closely with Applications, Software, AI/ML, Engineering, and customer teams to validate solutions that reduce active Applications Engineer effort, while maintaining model quality, robustness, and customer acceptance.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain baseline TTS measurements and a standardized recipe-validation framework for OCD applications.
• Validate AI-generated and automated OCD recipes against existing engineering methods and fab benchmarks.
• Lead technical validation of Logic applications, including Thin Film and GAA OCD use cases.
• Support customer and fab pilots, including validation activities for advanced Logic applications at key customer sites.
• Evaluate model accuracy, robustness, repeatability, and readiness before customer deployment.
• Lead applications validation for expansion into 2D DRAM and 3D NAND use cases.
• Support NAND and DRAM pilot activities and provide technical feedback to AI/ML and software development teams.
• Analyze gaps between generated recipes and fab results and translate findings into actionable model, workflow, and software improvements.
• Serve as the technical liaison between customer Applications teams and internal AI/ML, Software, and Engineering teams.
• Develop validation methodologies, test cases, acceptance criteria, and technical documentation for new TTS capabilities.
• Support final technical qualification and in-scope device/application sign-off for production deployment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
• Strong experience in semiconductor metrology, optical metrology, OCD, thin-film measurement, or related semiconductor process-control applications.
• Demonstrated experience developing, optimizing, validating, or supporting semiconductor metrology recipes and models.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor device structures and applications, preferably including Logic, GAA, DRAM, NAND, and/or advanced thin-film structures.
• Experience working with semiconductor fabs and collaborating directly with customer engineering or applications teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate model performance, identify technical gaps, and drive corrective actions.
• Ability to work effectively across Applications, Software, AI/ML, Engineering, and customer organizations in a cross-functional development environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document technical results and communicate recommendations to both technical teams and customers.
• Applicants must be able to travel internationally to customer sites at least 20% of the time, with additional travel as business needs require.

Why Join Onto Innovation?

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) with employer match, we've got you covered. You'll also enjoy access to our Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), wellness initiatives, and cutting-edge tools - all within a collaborative, inclusive culture where your contributions are valued and recognized.

Compensation & Growth

• Base Salary Range: $129,600.00 - $194,400.00, offered in good faith and based on experience, location, and qualifications.
• Additional Rewards: Annual bonus opportunities and potential long-term incentives tied to both company and individual success.

Empowering Every Voice to Shape the Future:

Onto Innovation is committed to creating a workplace where every qualified candidate has an equal opportunity to succeed.

We evaluate applicants based on skills, experience, and potential - without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We believe diversity of thought and background drives innovation and strengthens our team.

Important Note on Export Compliance

For certain positions requiring access to technical data, U.S. export licensing review may be necessary for applicants who are not U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other protected persons under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

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 help our customers solve our 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. Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Onto Innovation supports customers with a worldwide sales and service organization. Additional information can be found at http://www.ontoinnovation.com.