Staff Mechanical Engineer

Onto Innovation; Wilmington, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

Job summary

Onto Innovation seeks a Staff Mechanical Engineer to lead design and development of precision mechanical and optomechanical subsystems for semiconductor metrology and inspection equipment. You will drive stability, accuracy, and repeatability through advanced flexure mechanisms and integrated architectures.

You will collaborate with optical, electrical, software, and systems teams, perform analyses (FEA/thermal), mentor engineers, and contribute to roadmaps for AI-driven yield optimization and

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in mechanical/precision engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in design and development of high-precision mechanical systems.
• Proven experience with precision mechanics, flexure design, and optomechanical engineering.
• Strong understanding of stiffness, thermal stability, vibration, tolerances, material behavior, and dynamics.
• Hands-on prototyping, integration, testing, and performance characterization.
• Experience with engineering analysis tools (FEA, thermal simulation).
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (NX, Creo, SolidWorks).
• Experience in cross-disciplinary teams and project ownership.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, and validation of precision mechanical and optomechanical systems for metrology and inspection equipment.
• Develop mechanical architectures for stability, stiffness, accuracy, repeatability and thermal robustness.
• Design and optimize flexure-based mechanisms, mounts, assemblies, and interfaces.
• Perform mechanical analysis and simulation including FEA, dynamics, thermal analyses, and tolerance studies.
• Collaborate with suppliers to develop and qualify components and manufacturing processes.
• Drive prototyping, integration, testing, and validation of subsystems.
• Support root-cause investigations and drive performance improvements.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to roadmaps across mechanical, optical, and mechatronics domains.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

MSc/PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

NX

Creo

SolidWorks

FEA

Thermal simulation

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

At Onto Innovation, you will play a key role in developing next-generation semiconductor metrology and inspection systems that enable advanced process control in leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing. As a Staff Mechanical Engineer, you will lead the design and development of precision mechanical and optomechanical subsystems that achieve nanometer-level stability, accuracy, and repeatability. You will contribute to innovations across highly demanding applications involving precision positioning, thermal stability, vibration control, and optomechanical integration. Working at the intersection of mechanics, optics, and mechatronics, you will help deliver the performance required for AI-driven yield optimization and process control in advanced semiconductor fabs.

Lead the design, analysis, and validation of advanced precision mechanical and optomechanical systems for semiconductor metrology and inspection equipment. Develop mechanical architectures that achieve demanding requirements in stability, stiffness, accuracy, repeatability, and thermal robustness. Design and optimize flexure-based mechanisms, kinematic mounts, structural assemblies, positioning systems, and optomechanical interfaces.

Perform mechanical analysis and simulation, including FEA, structural dynamics, thermal analysis, modal analysis, and tolerance studies. Develop thermally stable solutions minimizing drift and deformation across varying environmental and operational conditions.

Define specifications and collaborate with external suppliers to develop and qualify precision components, assemblies, and manufacturing processes. Drive prototyping, integration, testing, and experimental validation of precision mechanical subsystems.

Support root-cause investigations and performance improvement efforts related to mechanical, thermal, and dynamic system behavior. Create documentation, test procedures, and integration workflows to support manufacturing, service, and field applications.

Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, electrical, software, systems, controls, and algorithm teams to deliver fully integrated solutions. Provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to precision engineering and architecture roadmaps.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Precision Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in the design and development of high-precision mechanical systems.
• Proven experience with precision mechanics, flexure design, and optomechanical engineering.
• Strong understanding of mechanical system performance drivers, including stiffness, thermal stability, vibration, tolerances, material behavior, and structural dynamics.
• Hands‑on experience with mechanical prototyping, integration, testing, and performance characterization.
• Experience with engineering analysis tools, including FEA and thermal simulation.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as NX, Creo, SolidWorks, or similar.
• Experience working in cross-disciplinary engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ability to own projects, define milestones, and deliver results.

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: $115,200.00 - $172,800.00, 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 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.

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.